❓ Ms. Saffioti questions the Premier regarding a promise made by the Minister for Disability Services concerning the Learn Foundation for Autism Centre closure, alleging the promise was knowingly unachievable. The Premier defends the Minister's actions and accuses the opposition of political opportunism.
AnsweredQoN 245Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LEARN
FOUNDATION FOR AUTISM CENTRE — CLOSURE
245. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Premier, the Minister for
Disability Services promised places, not contact. Why did the minister make a
promise on the steps of Parliament House that she knew she could not keep and
let down the families and children in Western Australia?
FOUNDATION FOR AUTISM CENTRE — CLOSURE
245. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Premier, the Minister for
Disability Services promised places, not contact. Why did the minister make a
promise on the steps of Parliament House that she knew she could not keep and
let down the families and children in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
The minister, with no prior warning—no
prior warning; understand that—no government relationship or funding,
immediately took it on herself to do all that she could. As I said, the
Disability Services Commission has been dealing with 23 families. It is my
understanding —
Ms R. Saffioti :
She's had contact.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The minister will give a report in the upper house today on
the progress on that. This is the difference: all the opposition did was to
seek political advantage; the minister actually rolled her sleeves up and
started to help those families.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Has the member for Midland met with them? I did. I met with
them, and we undertook to help them, and that is what we are doing.
Mr
M. McGowan : You haven't done anything!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The Leader of the Opposition will be sadly disappointed that the government has
done a great deal.
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
You don't know what it is, otherwise you'd say.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Twenty-three families; I said.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today.
Member for Midland, I formally call you to order for the second time today.
Leader of the Opposition, I will call you to order for the first time today,
and, Premier, I will call you to order for the first time today. I have given
the call to the member for Swan Hills; I have not given the call to anybody
else.
prior warning; understand that—no government relationship or funding,
immediately took it on herself to do all that she could. As I said, the
Disability Services Commission has been dealing with 23 families. It is my
understanding —
Ms R. Saffioti :
She's had contact.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The minister will give a report in the upper house today on
the progress on that. This is the difference: all the opposition did was to
seek political advantage; the minister actually rolled her sleeves up and
started to help those families.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Has the member for Midland met with them? I did. I met with
them, and we undertook to help them, and that is what we are doing.
Mr
M. McGowan : You haven't done anything!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The Leader of the Opposition will be sadly disappointed that the government has
done a great deal.
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
You don't know what it is, otherwise you'd say.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Twenty-three families; I said.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the second time today.
Member for Midland, I formally call you to order for the second time today.
Leader of the Opposition, I will call you to order for the first time today,
and, Premier, I will call you to order for the first time today. I have given
the call to the member for Swan Hills; I have not given the call to anybody
else.
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