❓ Opposition Leader Mark McGowan questions the Leader of the National Party, Brendon Grylls, about a claimed deal with the Premier regarding forced amalgamations of regional councils, which the Premier has denied. Grylls avoids directly answering the questions, instead focusing on the National Party's centenary and affirming support for the Premier's and Minister for Local Government's approach.
AnsweredQoN 366Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT — AMALGAMATIONS — NATIONAL PARTY
366. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Leader of the National Party:
I refer to the Leader of the National Party's
discussions with the Premier in which the Leader of the National Party claims
to have made a deal to prevent forced amalgamations for regional councils ,
which, I note, the Premier has since denied.
(1) When did these discussions take place?
(2) What was the
content of these discussions that led the Leader of the National Party to
believe a deal had been struck?
(3) What were the
agreed outcomes from these discussions?
366. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Leader of the National Party:
I refer to the Leader of the National Party's
discussions with the Premier in which the Leader of the National Party claims
to have made a deal to prevent forced amalgamations for regional councils ,
which, I note, the Premier has since denied.
(1) When did these discussions take place?
(2) What was the
content of these discussions that led the Leader of the National Party to
believe a deal had been struck?
(3) What were the
agreed outcomes from these discussions?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
Leader of the Opposition for the question.
Since it is a National Party issue, I put on the record today
that it is the 100 th centenary of the National Party in Western
Australia. It was formed as the Country Party in 1913 and we celebrated our
centenary in York last weekend. An interesting historical footnote is that the
first president of the Farmers and Settlers' Association was a man by
the name of Alex Monger. Alex Monger built Faversham House—members
would all recall Faversham House in York. It was Alex Monger's house.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, why are you upsetting the National Party's
birthday? Leader of the National Party, will you please answer the question?
Mr B.J. GRYLLS :
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
An interesting historical footnote is that part of the 100 th anniversary celebration conference was held in Faversham House, where 100 years
ago the party was formed. That is a wonderful history of Country Party politics
in Western Australia.
(1)–(3)
The Liberal Party and the National Party have come together in an alliance
government. This issue came before the cabinet. We had a discussion in cabinet,
and the outcome of that discussion in cabinet is what the Premier and the
Minister for Local Government have outlined. I agree with them. I think that
they will be able to work through these proposals with the community, as is
already being evidenced, and they will have the Leader of the National Party's
support when they do that.
Leader of the Opposition for the question.
Since it is a National Party issue, I put on the record today
that it is the 100 th centenary of the National Party in Western
Australia. It was formed as the Country Party in 1913 and we celebrated our
centenary in York last weekend. An interesting historical footnote is that the
first president of the Farmers and Settlers' Association was a man by
the name of Alex Monger. Alex Monger built Faversham House—members
would all recall Faversham House in York. It was Alex Monger's house.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, why are you upsetting the National Party's
birthday? Leader of the National Party, will you please answer the question?
Mr B.J. GRYLLS :
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
An interesting historical footnote is that part of the 100 th anniversary celebration conference was held in Faversham House, where 100 years
ago the party was formed. That is a wonderful history of Country Party politics
in Western Australia.
(1)–(3)
The Liberal Party and the National Party have come together in an alliance
government. This issue came before the cabinet. We had a discussion in cabinet,
and the outcome of that discussion in cabinet is what the Premier and the
Minister for Local Government have outlined. I agree with them. I think that
they will be able to work through these proposals with the community, as is
already being evidenced, and they will have the Leader of the National Party's
support when they do that.
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