❓ Premier Gallop defends his handling of the Brian William Edwards transfer, admitting the decision was wrong in hindsight but accusing the opposition of hypocrisy and similar past mistakes. He announces a review of classification processes.
AnsweredQoN 13Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Premier’s admission today that he signed off on the executive council document supporting the transfer of Brian William Edwards, a double murderer, to a minimum-security prison, a move he now admits was a mistake. When asked about this in question time yesterday, why did the Premier conceal his direct involvement in the decision to transfer one of the state’s most dangerous and unpredictable prisoners to a minimum-security prison? Why did he not answer the question yesterday? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I did not conceal my position from the house yesterday. I made it absolutely clear that I wanted to clarify the point about the move of this particular prisoner to Karnet Prison Farm. I was well aware of the fact that the government of Western Australia had signed off on the prerelease program, and I made that point in this Parliament yesterday. I then came into the Parliament this morning and clarified all the details of that matter. Obviously, the Leader of the Opposition has never been in government. He has never had to make decisions on issues such as this. As the Minister for Justice pointed out by way of implication in his answer to a question earlier today, people in glasshouses should not throw stones. The previous government made decisions that saw such prisoners being transferred to the minimum-security prison at Karnet. It made those decisions because it is part and parcel of the law of Western Australia and the interpretation that has been placed on that within the justice system for some time now. These decisions have to be made; they are matters of judgment. In hindsight, that decision proved to be wrong. I had the responsibility of saying to this Parliament that it was wrong, and I was capable of doing that. However, I have yet to see anyone from the other side of the house accept their responsibility on these matters. If members look up “Liberal Party” under the letter “L” in the dictionary, they will find that there is one word used to describe it - arrogance! That is what members will find under the definition of “Liberal Party” in the Western Australian political dictionary! In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I did not conceal my position from the house yesterday. I made it absolutely clear that I wanted to clarify the point about the move of this particular prisoner to Karnet Prison Farm. I was well aware of the fact that the government of Western Australia had signed off on the prerelease program, and I made that point in this Parliament yesterday. I then came into the Parliament this morning and clarified all the details of that matter. Obviously, the Leader of the Opposition has never been in government. He has never had to make decisions on issues such as this. As the Minister for Justice pointed out by way of implication in his answer to a question earlier today, people in glasshouses should not throw stones. The previous government made decisions that saw such prisoners being transferred to the minimum-security prison at Karnet. It made those decisions because it is part and parcel of the law of Western Australia and the interpretation that has been placed on that within the justice system for some time now. These decisions have to be made; they are matters of judgment. In hindsight, that decision proved to be wrong. I had the responsibility of saying to this Parliament that it was wrong, and I was capable of doing that. However, I have yet to see anyone from the other side of the house accept their responsibility on these matters. If members look up “Liberal Party” under the letter “L” in the dictionary, they will find that there is one word used to describe it - arrogance! That is what members will find under the definition of “Liberal Party” in the Western Australian political dictionary! In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
I did not conceal my position from the house yesterday. I made it absolutely clear that I wanted to clarify the point about the move of this particular prisoner to Karnet Prison Farm. I was well aware of the fact that the government of Western Australia had signed off on the prerelease program, and I made that point in this Parliament yesterday. I then came into the Parliament this morning and clarified all the details of that matter. Obviously, the Leader of the Opposition has never been in government. He has never had to make decisions on issues such as this. As the Minister for Justice pointed out by way of implication in his answer to a question earlier today, people in glasshouses should not throw stones. The previous government made decisions that saw such prisoners being transferred to the minimum-security prison at Karnet. It made those decisions because it is part and parcel of the law of Western Australia and the interpretation that has been placed on that within the justice system for some time now. These decisions have to be made; they are matters of judgment. In hindsight, that decision proved to be wrong. I had the responsibility of saying to this Parliament that it was wrong, and I was capable of doing that. However, I have yet to see anyone from the other side of the house accept their responsibility on these matters. If members look up “Liberal Party” under the letter “L” in the dictionary, they will find that there is one word used to describe it - arrogance! That is what members will find under the definition of “Liberal Party” in the Western Australian political dictionary! In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Obviously, the Leader of the Opposition has never been in government. He has never had to make decisions on issues such as this. As the Minister for Justice pointed out by way of implication in his answer to a question earlier today, people in glasshouses should not throw stones. The previous government made decisions that saw such prisoners being transferred to the minimum-security prison at Karnet. It made those decisions because it is part and parcel of the law of Western Australia and the interpretation that has been placed on that within the justice system for some time now. These decisions have to be made; they are matters of judgment. In hindsight, that decision proved to be wrong. I had the responsibility of saying to this Parliament that it was wrong, and I was capable of doing that. However, I have yet to see anyone from the other side of the house accept their responsibility on these matters. If members look up “Liberal Party” under the letter “L” in the dictionary, they will find that there is one word used to describe it - arrogance! That is what members will find under the definition of “Liberal Party” in the Western Australian political dictionary! In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
In hindsight, that decision proved to be wrong. I had the responsibility of saying to this Parliament that it was wrong, and I was capable of doing that. However, I have yet to see anyone from the other side of the house accept their responsibility on these matters. If members look up “Liberal Party” under the letter “L” in the dictionary, they will find that there is one word used to describe it - arrogance! That is what members will find under the definition of “Liberal Party” in the Western Australian political dictionary! In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I did not conceal my position from the house yesterday. I made it absolutely clear that I wanted to clarify the point about the move of this particular prisoner to Karnet Prison Farm. I was well aware of the fact that the government of Western Australia had signed off on the prerelease program, and I made that point in this Parliament yesterday. I then came into the Parliament this morning and clarified all the details of that matter. Obviously, the Leader of the Opposition has never been in government. He has never had to make decisions on issues such as this. As the Minister for Justice pointed out by way of implication in his answer to a question earlier today, people in glasshouses should not throw stones. The previous government made decisions that saw such prisoners being transferred to the minimum-security prison at Karnet. It made those decisions because it is part and parcel of the law of Western Australia and the interpretation that has been placed on that within the justice system for some time now. These decisions have to be made; they are matters of judgment. In hindsight, that decision proved to be wrong. I had the responsibility of saying to this Parliament that it was wrong, and I was capable of doing that. However, I have yet to see anyone from the other side of the house accept their responsibility on these matters. If members look up “Liberal Party” under the letter “L” in the dictionary, they will find that there is one word used to describe it - arrogance! That is what members will find under the definition of “Liberal Party” in the Western Australian political dictionary! In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
I did not conceal my position from the house yesterday. I made it absolutely clear that I wanted to clarify the point about the move of this particular prisoner to Karnet Prison Farm. I was well aware of the fact that the government of Western Australia had signed off on the prerelease program, and I made that point in this Parliament yesterday. I then came into the Parliament this morning and clarified all the details of that matter. Obviously, the Leader of the Opposition has never been in government. He has never had to make decisions on issues such as this. As the Minister for Justice pointed out by way of implication in his answer to a question earlier today, people in glasshouses should not throw stones. The previous government made decisions that saw such prisoners being transferred to the minimum-security prison at Karnet. It made those decisions because it is part and parcel of the law of Western Australia and the interpretation that has been placed on that within the justice system for some time now. These decisions have to be made; they are matters of judgment. In hindsight, that decision proved to be wrong. I had the responsibility of saying to this Parliament that it was wrong, and I was capable of doing that. However, I have yet to see anyone from the other side of the house accept their responsibility on these matters. If members look up “Liberal Party” under the letter “L” in the dictionary, they will find that there is one word used to describe it - arrogance! That is what members will find under the definition of “Liberal Party” in the Western Australian political dictionary! In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Obviously, the Leader of the Opposition has never been in government. He has never had to make decisions on issues such as this. As the Minister for Justice pointed out by way of implication in his answer to a question earlier today, people in glasshouses should not throw stones. The previous government made decisions that saw such prisoners being transferred to the minimum-security prison at Karnet. It made those decisions because it is part and parcel of the law of Western Australia and the interpretation that has been placed on that within the justice system for some time now. These decisions have to be made; they are matters of judgment. In hindsight, that decision proved to be wrong. I had the responsibility of saying to this Parliament that it was wrong, and I was capable of doing that. However, I have yet to see anyone from the other side of the house accept their responsibility on these matters. If members look up “Liberal Party” under the letter “L” in the dictionary, they will find that there is one word used to describe it - arrogance! That is what members will find under the definition of “Liberal Party” in the Western Australian political dictionary! In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
In hindsight, that decision proved to be wrong. I had the responsibility of saying to this Parliament that it was wrong, and I was capable of doing that. However, I have yet to see anyone from the other side of the house accept their responsibility on these matters. If members look up “Liberal Party” under the letter “L” in the dictionary, they will find that there is one word used to describe it - arrogance! That is what members will find under the definition of “Liberal Party” in the Western Australian political dictionary! In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
In hindsight that decision was wrong. Earlier today in my short ministerial statement I indicated the circumstance and background behind making that decision. Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Let me now go to the opposition. Was the opposition’s decision wrong in respect of Mr Blunsdon? Was its decision wrong in respect of Mr Finn? Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Mr M.J. Birney : Your bloke’s out there in the community! Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Dr G.I. GALLOP : Exactly, and what we have done is to move to address the issue of security arrangements at a minimum-security prison; something that opposition members never did in their eight years in government. I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
I conclude by saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones. We will initiate a major review to look at these classification and decision-making processes that exist in our system and make sure that the system is improved for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Leschenault for the first time.
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