❓ Mr Birney questions the Premier's rejection of the Scrutiny of Government Publicity Bill, accusing him of hypocrisy. The Premier deflects, accusing the opposition leader of focusing on irrelevant issues and highlighting the government's efforts to reduce political advertising.
AnsweredQoN 469Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Premier’s various public statements about his commitment to being an open, accountable and transparent Premier. He has stated that the community is quite concerned that government is unconstrained and secretive, and that it wants transparency in government. He has also stated that we are all accountable; all the government is accountable. He has further stated that the accountability difference is that his government is accountable and open. (1) How does the Premier justify his actions in this house last night when he rejected the Scrutiny of Government Publicity Bill 2005, which would have ensured that his government, and indeed all future governments, would be held accountable for spending taxpayers’ money on blatantly political advertising that serves no public interest? (2) Has the Premier rejected the bill simply because he is no longer in opposition and is now in government, as confirmed by the Deputy Premier across this chamber last night when a quorum was called? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition has really been hitting the mark over the last couple of weeks! He has asked questions about my appearances or non-appearances on radio 6PR. He asked me questions yesterday about what I said on radio 6PR - he has a fascination with it - 10 years ago about secret ballots. He is now asking about legislation that was brought into the Parliament during the term of the last government. The Leader of the Opposition is very keen to talk about these subjects, most of which are of interest from only a historical point of view. However, he will not debate issues such as uranium. He will not debate issues such as education, which we brought before the Parliament last week. Yesterday the Deputy Premier outlined to the Parliament the reason the legislation that was brought forward by the opposition was no longer necessary because of the procedures we have put in place to deal with these issues. The government has reduced the overall amount of money that is spent on government advertising. The government is making sure that the blatant political advertising that occurred under the Court government does not occur under this government. The sorts of interventions the Leader of the Opposition is making in this Parliament are not relevant to the interests and needs of the people of Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition is indicating his lack of depth in issues that are important for Western Australia. I suggest that he read the speech given yesterday by the member for Cottesloe. I do not agree with the conclusions that he reached, but it was a well researched and argued account of his point of view on uranium. I do not agree with it, but I think that the Leader of the Opposition could learn from the way he approached that issue. I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
(1) How does the Premier justify his actions in this house last night when he rejected the Scrutiny of Government Publicity Bill 2005, which would have ensured that his government, and indeed all future governments, would be held accountable for spending taxpayers’ money on blatantly political advertising that serves no public interest? (2) Has the Premier rejected the bill simply because he is no longer in opposition and is now in government, as confirmed by the Deputy Premier across this chamber last night when a quorum was called? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition has really been hitting the mark over the last couple of weeks! He has asked questions about my appearances or non-appearances on radio 6PR. He asked me questions yesterday about what I said on radio 6PR - he has a fascination with it - 10 years ago about secret ballots. He is now asking about legislation that was brought into the Parliament during the term of the last government. The Leader of the Opposition is very keen to talk about these subjects, most of which are of interest from only a historical point of view. However, he will not debate issues such as uranium. He will not debate issues such as education, which we brought before the Parliament last week. Yesterday the Deputy Premier outlined to the Parliament the reason the legislation that was brought forward by the opposition was no longer necessary because of the procedures we have put in place to deal with these issues. The government has reduced the overall amount of money that is spent on government advertising. The government is making sure that the blatant political advertising that occurred under the Court government does not occur under this government. The sorts of interventions the Leader of the Opposition is making in this Parliament are not relevant to the interests and needs of the people of Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition is indicating his lack of depth in issues that are important for Western Australia. I suggest that he read the speech given yesterday by the member for Cottesloe. I do not agree with the conclusions that he reached, but it was a well researched and argued account of his point of view on uranium. I do not agree with it, but I think that the Leader of the Opposition could learn from the way he approached that issue. I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
(2) Has the Premier rejected the bill simply because he is no longer in opposition and is now in government, as confirmed by the Deputy Premier across this chamber last night when a quorum was called? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition has really been hitting the mark over the last couple of weeks! He has asked questions about my appearances or non-appearances on radio 6PR. He asked me questions yesterday about what I said on radio 6PR - he has a fascination with it - 10 years ago about secret ballots. He is now asking about legislation that was brought into the Parliament during the term of the last government. The Leader of the Opposition is very keen to talk about these subjects, most of which are of interest from only a historical point of view. However, he will not debate issues such as uranium. He will not debate issues such as education, which we brought before the Parliament last week. Yesterday the Deputy Premier outlined to the Parliament the reason the legislation that was brought forward by the opposition was no longer necessary because of the procedures we have put in place to deal with these issues. The government has reduced the overall amount of money that is spent on government advertising. The government is making sure that the blatant political advertising that occurred under the Court government does not occur under this government. The sorts of interventions the Leader of the Opposition is making in this Parliament are not relevant to the interests and needs of the people of Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition is indicating his lack of depth in issues that are important for Western Australia. I suggest that he read the speech given yesterday by the member for Cottesloe. I do not agree with the conclusions that he reached, but it was a well researched and argued account of his point of view on uranium. I do not agree with it, but I think that the Leader of the Opposition could learn from the way he approached that issue. I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition has really been hitting the mark over the last couple of weeks! He has asked questions about my appearances or non-appearances on radio 6PR. He asked me questions yesterday about what I said on radio 6PR - he has a fascination with it - 10 years ago about secret ballots. He is now asking about legislation that was brought into the Parliament during the term of the last government. The Leader of the Opposition is very keen to talk about these subjects, most of which are of interest from only a historical point of view. However, he will not debate issues such as uranium. He will not debate issues such as education, which we brought before the Parliament last week. Yesterday the Deputy Premier outlined to the Parliament the reason the legislation that was brought forward by the opposition was no longer necessary because of the procedures we have put in place to deal with these issues. The government has reduced the overall amount of money that is spent on government advertising. The government is making sure that the blatant political advertising that occurred under the Court government does not occur under this government. The sorts of interventions the Leader of the Opposition is making in this Parliament are not relevant to the interests and needs of the people of Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition is indicating his lack of depth in issues that are important for Western Australia. I suggest that he read the speech given yesterday by the member for Cottesloe. I do not agree with the conclusions that he reached, but it was a well researched and argued account of his point of view on uranium. I do not agree with it, but I think that the Leader of the Opposition could learn from the way he approached that issue. I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
(1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition has really been hitting the mark over the last couple of weeks! He has asked questions about my appearances or non-appearances on radio 6PR. He asked me questions yesterday about what I said on radio 6PR - he has a fascination with it - 10 years ago about secret ballots. He is now asking about legislation that was brought into the Parliament during the term of the last government. The Leader of the Opposition is very keen to talk about these subjects, most of which are of interest from only a historical point of view. However, he will not debate issues such as uranium. He will not debate issues such as education, which we brought before the Parliament last week. Yesterday the Deputy Premier outlined to the Parliament the reason the legislation that was brought forward by the opposition was no longer necessary because of the procedures we have put in place to deal with these issues. The government has reduced the overall amount of money that is spent on government advertising. The government is making sure that the blatant political advertising that occurred under the Court government does not occur under this government. The sorts of interventions the Leader of the Opposition is making in this Parliament are not relevant to the interests and needs of the people of Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition is indicating his lack of depth in issues that are important for Western Australia. I suggest that he read the speech given yesterday by the member for Cottesloe. I do not agree with the conclusions that he reached, but it was a well researched and argued account of his point of view on uranium. I do not agree with it, but I think that the Leader of the Opposition could learn from the way he approached that issue. I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
(1) How does the Premier justify his actions in this house last night when he rejected the Scrutiny of Government Publicity Bill 2005, which would have ensured that his government, and indeed all future governments, would be held accountable for spending taxpayers’ money on blatantly political advertising that serves no public interest? (2) Has the Premier rejected the bill simply because he is no longer in opposition and is now in government, as confirmed by the Deputy Premier across this chamber last night when a quorum was called? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition has really been hitting the mark over the last couple of weeks! He has asked questions about my appearances or non-appearances on radio 6PR. He asked me questions yesterday about what I said on radio 6PR - he has a fascination with it - 10 years ago about secret ballots. He is now asking about legislation that was brought into the Parliament during the term of the last government. The Leader of the Opposition is very keen to talk about these subjects, most of which are of interest from only a historical point of view. However, he will not debate issues such as uranium. He will not debate issues such as education, which we brought before the Parliament last week. Yesterday the Deputy Premier outlined to the Parliament the reason the legislation that was brought forward by the opposition was no longer necessary because of the procedures we have put in place to deal with these issues. The government has reduced the overall amount of money that is spent on government advertising. The government is making sure that the blatant political advertising that occurred under the Court government does not occur under this government. The sorts of interventions the Leader of the Opposition is making in this Parliament are not relevant to the interests and needs of the people of Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition is indicating his lack of depth in issues that are important for Western Australia. I suggest that he read the speech given yesterday by the member for Cottesloe. I do not agree with the conclusions that he reached, but it was a well researched and argued account of his point of view on uranium. I do not agree with it, but I think that the Leader of the Opposition could learn from the way he approached that issue. I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
(2) Has the Premier rejected the bill simply because he is no longer in opposition and is now in government, as confirmed by the Deputy Premier across this chamber last night when a quorum was called? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition has really been hitting the mark over the last couple of weeks! He has asked questions about my appearances or non-appearances on radio 6PR. He asked me questions yesterday about what I said on radio 6PR - he has a fascination with it - 10 years ago about secret ballots. He is now asking about legislation that was brought into the Parliament during the term of the last government. The Leader of the Opposition is very keen to talk about these subjects, most of which are of interest from only a historical point of view. However, he will not debate issues such as uranium. He will not debate issues such as education, which we brought before the Parliament last week. Yesterday the Deputy Premier outlined to the Parliament the reason the legislation that was brought forward by the opposition was no longer necessary because of the procedures we have put in place to deal with these issues. The government has reduced the overall amount of money that is spent on government advertising. The government is making sure that the blatant political advertising that occurred under the Court government does not occur under this government. The sorts of interventions the Leader of the Opposition is making in this Parliament are not relevant to the interests and needs of the people of Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition is indicating his lack of depth in issues that are important for Western Australia. I suggest that he read the speech given yesterday by the member for Cottesloe. I do not agree with the conclusions that he reached, but it was a well researched and argued account of his point of view on uranium. I do not agree with it, but I think that the Leader of the Opposition could learn from the way he approached that issue. I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition has really been hitting the mark over the last couple of weeks! He has asked questions about my appearances or non-appearances on radio 6PR. He asked me questions yesterday about what I said on radio 6PR - he has a fascination with it - 10 years ago about secret ballots. He is now asking about legislation that was brought into the Parliament during the term of the last government. The Leader of the Opposition is very keen to talk about these subjects, most of which are of interest from only a historical point of view. However, he will not debate issues such as uranium. He will not debate issues such as education, which we brought before the Parliament last week. Yesterday the Deputy Premier outlined to the Parliament the reason the legislation that was brought forward by the opposition was no longer necessary because of the procedures we have put in place to deal with these issues. The government has reduced the overall amount of money that is spent on government advertising. The government is making sure that the blatant political advertising that occurred under the Court government does not occur under this government. The sorts of interventions the Leader of the Opposition is making in this Parliament are not relevant to the interests and needs of the people of Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition is indicating his lack of depth in issues that are important for Western Australia. I suggest that he read the speech given yesterday by the member for Cottesloe. I do not agree with the conclusions that he reached, but it was a well researched and argued account of his point of view on uranium. I do not agree with it, but I think that the Leader of the Opposition could learn from the way he approached that issue. I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
(1)-(2) The Leader of the Opposition has really been hitting the mark over the last couple of weeks! He has asked questions about my appearances or non-appearances on radio 6PR. He asked me questions yesterday about what I said on radio 6PR - he has a fascination with it - 10 years ago about secret ballots. He is now asking about legislation that was brought into the Parliament during the term of the last government. The Leader of the Opposition is very keen to talk about these subjects, most of which are of interest from only a historical point of view. However, he will not debate issues such as uranium. He will not debate issues such as education, which we brought before the Parliament last week. Yesterday the Deputy Premier outlined to the Parliament the reason the legislation that was brought forward by the opposition was no longer necessary because of the procedures we have put in place to deal with these issues. The government has reduced the overall amount of money that is spent on government advertising. The government is making sure that the blatant political advertising that occurred under the Court government does not occur under this government. The sorts of interventions the Leader of the Opposition is making in this Parliament are not relevant to the interests and needs of the people of Western Australia. The Leader of the Opposition is indicating his lack of depth in issues that are important for Western Australia. I suggest that he read the speech given yesterday by the member for Cottesloe. I do not agree with the conclusions that he reached, but it was a well researched and argued account of his point of view on uranium. I do not agree with it, but I think that the Leader of the Opposition could learn from the way he approached that issue. I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
I congratulate the Deputy Premier for his vigorous and appropriate defence of our government’s position. He clearly outlined why legislation we put forward when in opposition, which was opposed by members opposite, is no longer necessary in government today.
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