❓ Opposition Leader Kirkup questions the Premier regarding a report on the actions of the Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, alleging undermined parliamentary processes. The Premier responds by acknowledging the report and strongly condemning corruption.
AnsweredQoN 621Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STANDING COMMITTEE ON
PROCEDURE AND PRIVILEGES —FIFTY-FIFTH REPORT — DARREN FOSTER
621. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Premier:
I
refer to the damning Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges report
tabled today in the Legislative Council into the actions of the Premier's
handpicked director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Mr Darren Foster. Can the Premier outline to the
house how the unprecedented findings of this committee report and how Mr Foster's
actions have undermined the fundamental tenets of the parliamentary processes
of Western Australia?
PROCEDURE AND PRIVILEGES —FIFTY-FIFTH REPORT — DARREN FOSTER
621. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Premier:
I
refer to the damning Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges report
tabled today in the Legislative Council into the actions of the Premier's
handpicked director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Mr Darren Foster. Can the Premier outline to the
house how the unprecedented findings of this committee report and how Mr Foster's
actions have undermined the fundamental tenets of the parliamentary processes
of Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the
question.
Just
before I answer his question, can I take this opportunity to acknowledge the
passing of Graham ''Polly'' Framer , a great Western Australian,
and much loved by many people. Mr Farmer came from very humble beginnings, and
he reached the very top of his sport, both here and in Victoria. He also gave
back to his community. He was a great role model in particular for young
Aboriginal people. He was a legend and a Western Australian icon. On behalf of
the government, I would like to pass on our condolences to his family and
friends.
I became aware earlier today that a
report from the Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges—I have just
been given a copy—has been tabled in the Legislative Council. The
report is in respect of—I quote the front cover—''A
Refusal to Comply with a Summons and to Produce Documents''. My
understanding is that this has arisen because of a corruption inquiry being
undertaken by the Corruption and Crime Commission, and that there has been a request
from the CCC for the government to produce documents into alleged corruption by
former politicians. I just want to make it absolutely clear to this Parliament
that I will not—I will not—defend alleged corrupt conduct. I will
have no truck with supporting those who want to protect corrupt conduct. I think
we all need to join in sending a strong message that we support rooting out
corruption in our community and we support rooting out corruption that might be
engaged in by members of Parliament. If the Liberal Party wants to defend that
sort of conduct, be that on your heads.
question.
Just
before I answer his question, can I take this opportunity to acknowledge the
passing of Graham ''Polly'' Framer , a great Western Australian,
and much loved by many people. Mr Farmer came from very humble beginnings, and
he reached the very top of his sport, both here and in Victoria. He also gave
back to his community. He was a great role model in particular for young
Aboriginal people. He was a legend and a Western Australian icon. On behalf of
the government, I would like to pass on our condolences to his family and
friends.
I became aware earlier today that a
report from the Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges—I have just
been given a copy—has been tabled in the Legislative Council. The
report is in respect of—I quote the front cover—''A
Refusal to Comply with a Summons and to Produce Documents''. My
understanding is that this has arisen because of a corruption inquiry being
undertaken by the Corruption and Crime Commission, and that there has been a request
from the CCC for the government to produce documents into alleged corruption by
former politicians. I just want to make it absolutely clear to this Parliament
that I will not—I will not—defend alleged corrupt conduct. I will
have no truck with supporting those who want to protect corrupt conduct. I think
we all need to join in sending a strong message that we support rooting out
corruption in our community and we support rooting out corruption that might be
engaged in by members of Parliament. If the Liberal Party wants to defend that
sort of conduct, be that on your heads.
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