Dr Gallop questions whether a minister's representation on behalf of a constituent led to an unjust outcome. Premier Court defends the minister, accusing Dr Gallop of questioning the integrity of a senior public servant and highlighting the common practice of MPs advocating for constituents.

AnsweredQoN 323Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 November 2000
Member
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

Is it not the case that when members of Parliament make representations on behalf of their constituents, they do so to ensure that justice is done, not to ensure that justice is undone? That is what happened in this case. Mr COURT

AnswerView source ↗

Once again the Leader of the Opposition is questioning the integrity of the person who has the responsibility for making those decisions. Ms MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I formally call the member for Armadale to order for the first time. Mr COURT: The Minister for Primary Industry has acted properly on behalf of his constituent. His actions have not breached any statutory provisions or conventions. The Leader of the Opposition does the same thing every day of the week when he represents his constituents. I receive letters from the Leader of the Opposition every day of the week representing his constituents and asking for matters to be addressed. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to proceed down this path, he is questioning the integrity of a very senior officer. He should not repeat - as he has been doing - that a minister directed a senior public servant to change a charge.
Mr COURT replied: Once again the Leader of the Opposition is questioning the integrity of the person who has the responsibility for making those decisions. Ms MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I formally call the member for Armadale to order for the first time. Mr COURT: The Minister for Primary Industry has acted properly on behalf of his constituent. His actions have not breached any statutory provisions or conventions. The Leader of the Opposition does the same thing every day of the week when he represents his constituents. I receive letters from the Leader of the Opposition every day of the week representing his constituents and asking for matters to be addressed. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to proceed down this path, he is questioning the integrity of a very senior officer. He should not repeat - as he has been doing - that a minister directed a senior public servant to change a charge.
Once again the Leader of the Opposition is questioning the integrity of the person who has the responsibility for making those decisions. Ms MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I formally call the member for Armadale to order for the first time. Mr COURT: The Minister for Primary Industry has acted properly on behalf of his constituent. His actions have not breached any statutory provisions or conventions. The Leader of the Opposition does the same thing every day of the week when he represents his constituents. I receive letters from the Leader of the Opposition every day of the week representing his constituents and asking for matters to be addressed. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to proceed down this path, he is questioning the integrity of a very senior officer. He should not repeat - as he has been doing - that a minister directed a senior public servant to change a charge.
Ms MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I formally call the member for Armadale to order for the first time. Mr COURT: The Minister for Primary Industry has acted properly on behalf of his constituent. His actions have not breached any statutory provisions or conventions. The Leader of the Opposition does the same thing every day of the week when he represents his constituents. I receive letters from the Leader of the Opposition every day of the week representing his constituents and asking for matters to be addressed. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to proceed down this path, he is questioning the integrity of a very senior officer. He should not repeat - as he has been doing - that a minister directed a senior public servant to change a charge.
The SPEAKER: Order! I formally call the member for Armadale to order for the first time. Mr COURT: The Minister for Primary Industry has acted properly on behalf of his constituent. His actions have not breached any statutory provisions or conventions. The Leader of the Opposition does the same thing every day of the week when he represents his constituents. I receive letters from the Leader of the Opposition every day of the week representing his constituents and asking for matters to be addressed. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to proceed down this path, he is questioning the integrity of a very senior officer. He should not repeat - as he has been doing - that a minister directed a senior public servant to change a charge.
Mr COURT: The Minister for Primary Industry has acted properly on behalf of his constituent. His actions have not breached any statutory provisions or conventions. The Leader of the Opposition does the same thing every day of the week when he represents his constituents. I receive letters from the Leader of the Opposition every day of the week representing his constituents and asking for matters to be addressed. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to proceed down this path, he is questioning the integrity of a very senior officer. He should not repeat - as he has been doing - that a minister directed a senior public servant to change a charge.

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