❓ Mr Day questions the Minister for Education about the delayed Mott inquiry report regarding senior Education Department appointments, specifically Mr Ed Harken. The Minister's response is lengthy, evasive, and includes irrelevant personal anecdotes.
AnsweredQoN 802Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
There are many matters in the Minister for Education’s portfolio that require examination, and this is one of them. I refer the minister to his answer to question on notice 1335 of 19 February, in which he stated that the Mott inquiry into senior Education Department appointments, including that of Mr Ed Harken, would be finalised by the end of February 2002. (1) Has this report been finalised; and, if not, why not? (2) Has the minister seen or been briefed about, this report in either its interim or final form? (3) Did the report, in either its interim or final form, make any adverse findings against Mr Ed Harken? Mr CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
(1) Has this report been finalised; and, if not, why not? (2) Has the minister seen or been briefed about, this report in either its interim or final form? (3) Did the report, in either its interim or final form, make any adverse findings against Mr Ed Harken? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
(2) Has the minister seen or been briefed about, this report in either its interim or final form? (3) Did the report, in either its interim or final form, make any adverse findings against Mr Ed Harken? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
(3) Did the report, in either its interim or final form, make any adverse findings against Mr Ed Harken? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
(1) Has this report been finalised; and, if not, why not? (2) Has the minister seen or been briefed about, this report in either its interim or final form? (3) Did the report, in either its interim or final form, make any adverse findings against Mr Ed Harken? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
(2) Has the minister seen or been briefed about, this report in either its interim or final form? (3) Did the report, in either its interim or final form, make any adverse findings against Mr Ed Harken? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
(3) Did the report, in either its interim or final form, make any adverse findings against Mr Ed Harken? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. The other side of the House is unnaturally obsessed with Mr Ed Harken. It beats me why that is the case; apparently it is based on the fact that he was once the president of the State School Teachers Union of WA. We have gone through this matter. The Opposition usually throws the name of Mr Kevin O’Keefe into this debate. The member for Kingsley put forward an anonymously scripted complaint about Mr Harken and Mr O’Keefe, alleging that Mr O’Keefe had spent the night at my house. I have been through this issue. Last week I was in Sydney, and guess who stayed in the same hotel as me? It was Kevin O’Keefe. I have gone over this matter with my wife, and she assures me that he does not come around. However, if he does, I am starting to see what she may see in him! He may be small, but he is also very dynamic. He is the pocket rocket of WA education, and I find him to be a very attractive man. I am thinking of developing a ménage à trois with Mr Kevin O’Keefe! I turn now to the report. Earlier, I gave the member for Darling Range an indication that I would report back to him. The Director General of Education has informed me - I have a note from the department about this matter - that the preliminary investigation into the anonymous allegations submitted by the member for Kingsley, which was referred to the Department of Education on 25 September by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, has been completed. Subsequently, the department referred the preliminary investigation report to the Crown Solicitor for advice. A minor aspect of the investigation required further clarification, and this clarification has now been obtained. The department is currently preparing its final advice to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it expects to provide this advice early next week. The director general forwarded a letter to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards to inform him of the progress that is being made by the department. That is the information that I have. I have not sought a briefing about what is in the report, and I do not think that I should. Mr Day: You have not sought a briefing on anything at all? Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr CARPENTER: No, because - Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr Day: Have you received a verbal briefing? Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr CARPENTER: I have not received a briefing about the content of the report; it is not my report. Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr Barnett: Did you not say that you had read the draft report? Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
Mr CARPENTER: No. I have not read it, so why would I say that I had? I said that I had read the complaint. I have not read the report. I have not seen the report. As far as I know - the Leader of the Opposition would know more about this because he was probably in a similar situation when he was the Minister for Education - the report goes to the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, and it then becomes his report. What happens next is up to the commissioner. However, if the bottom line of the member’s question seeks to determine whether I am concealing any information, whether I will seek to conceal any information, or whether I have any information to conceal, the answer is no. The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
The SPEAKER: Question time is now finished. I offer a point of explanation to members. The camera on this side of the Chamber is currently not functioning. The technicians are endeavouring to fix it, but until it is fixed, the House will have to deal with those operational matters. Point of Order Mr DAY: I desired to ask a supplementary question pertinent to the answer I heard from the Minister for Education. If there is a right under the standing orders for members on either side to ask supplementary questions, there should be a right to ask such a question on what would otherwise have been the last question in question time. I cannot see why that should not be possible simply because it was the last question. I therefore submit a request to ask the Minister for Education a supplementary question. The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
The SPEAKER: Supplementary questions should be asked within the time allotted for question time. My understanding is that the Speaker is the sole determinant of the length of question time. Question time today lasted nearly 40 minutes, and that was sufficient.
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