❓ Ms Mettam (Liberal) questions the Premier about initiating an inquiry into workplace culture in Parliament and ministerial offices, referencing the NSW Parliament inquiry and calls from former Labor staffers. The Premier deflects, criticising the previous Liberal-National government's record.
AnsweredQoN 507Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PARLIAMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND MINISTERIAL OFFICES —WORKPLACE
CULTURE INQUIRY
507. Ms L. METTAM to the Premier:
I refer to the recent investigation
into the New South Wales Parliament culture by Elizabeth Broderick, and recent
calls from former WA Labor staffers —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms L. METTAM : — for
a similar review into the workplace culture —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order,
please! I do not need commentary from random government members. I will ask the
member for Vasse if she would start her question again.
Ms L. METTAM : I refer to the
recent investigation into the New South Wales Parliament culture by Elizabeth
Broderick, and recent calls from former WA Labor staffers for a similar review
into the workplace culture in electorate offices and ministers' and
members' offices.
Will this government initiate an independent inquiry into the
workplace culture of Parliament and ministerial offices in light of these
recent revelations —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Have you finished your question?
Ms L. METTAM : — and,
if not, why not?
CULTURE INQUIRY
507. Ms L. METTAM to the Premier:
I refer to the recent investigation
into the New South Wales Parliament culture by Elizabeth Broderick, and recent
calls from former WA Labor staffers —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms L. METTAM : — for
a similar review into the workplace culture —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order,
please! I do not need commentary from random government members. I will ask the
member for Vasse if she would start her question again.
Ms L. METTAM : I refer to the
recent investigation into the New South Wales Parliament culture by Elizabeth
Broderick, and recent calls from former WA Labor staffers for a similar review
into the workplace culture in electorate offices and ministers' and
members' offices.
Will this government initiate an independent inquiry into the
workplace culture of Parliament and ministerial offices in light of these
recent revelations —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Have you finished your question?
Ms L. METTAM : — and,
if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I
was here for the entirety of the last government—the entire period,
from the start to the finish. We had Troy Buswell . I do not recall any
inquiries by the last government; I do not recall anyone making inquiries. In
fact, when the member asking the question
arrived in the Parliament, she congratulated him on his service, despite
everything that occurred, which puts in the shade anything that has
occurred in any other Parliament, as far as I am aware. The Liberal Party had Mr Edman, Mr Chown and the other
chap up there, Mr Hallett. It had the ''Black Hand Gang''. It has ''The Clan''. It has the commentary —
Several members interjected.
Point of Order
Mr R.S. LOVE : I have a point
of order.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
A point of order is heard in silence.
Mr R.S. LOVE : I am not aware
of any allegations that have been made against former member Redman, and I do
not know why the Premier brought his name up in this house.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
members!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members, this
is a serious matter. I understood the Premier to say ''Edman'',
not ''Redman''.
Mr R.S. Love : I am sorry; I misheard.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr M. McGOWAN : Thank you,
Madam Speaker. I said ''Mr Edman''. I left off Mr Hayward, for
the Nationals WA's information. If people have any concerns, or
any individuals have concerns, there are ways in which they can make
complaints, and there are numerous opportunities for them to undertake those
complaints, but I do find it rich that the Liberals and Nationals, with their
record, would even dare to ask this question.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
was here for the entirety of the last government—the entire period,
from the start to the finish. We had Troy Buswell . I do not recall any
inquiries by the last government; I do not recall anyone making inquiries. In
fact, when the member asking the question
arrived in the Parliament, she congratulated him on his service, despite
everything that occurred, which puts in the shade anything that has
occurred in any other Parliament, as far as I am aware. The Liberal Party had Mr Edman, Mr Chown and the other
chap up there, Mr Hallett. It had the ''Black Hand Gang''. It has ''The Clan''. It has the commentary —
Several members interjected.
Point of Order
Mr R.S. LOVE : I have a point
of order.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
A point of order is heard in silence.
Mr R.S. LOVE : I am not aware
of any allegations that have been made against former member Redman, and I do
not know why the Premier brought his name up in this house.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
members!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members, this
is a serious matter. I understood the Premier to say ''Edman'',
not ''Redman''.
Mr R.S. Love : I am sorry; I misheard.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr M. McGOWAN : Thank you,
Madam Speaker. I said ''Mr Edman''. I left off Mr Hayward, for
the Nationals WA's information. If people have any concerns, or
any individuals have concerns, there are ways in which they can make
complaints, and there are numerous opportunities for them to undertake those
complaints, but I do find it rich that the Liberals and Nationals, with their
record, would even dare to ask this question.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
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