❓ Debate on deregulating retail trading hours in WA. The Premier supports deregulation, highlighting past opposition from the Leader of the Opposition, who now states they 'will have a position'.
AnsweredQoN 51Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RETAIL TRADING HOURS — DEREGULATION
Can the Premier please advise the house of the government’s position on extended trading hours? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
Can the Premier please advise the house of the government’s position on extended trading hours? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
Remarkably, the opportunity that I predicted might come my way has come my way! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: Remarkably, the opportunity that I predicted might come my way has come my way! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Remarkably, the opportunity that I predicted might come my way has come my way! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: Remarkably, the opportunity that I predicted might come my way has come my way! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Remarkably, the opportunity that I predicted might come my way has come my way! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is quite remarkable. I thank the member for the question. We have a policy that we will take to the next election to support deregulated trading hours in Western Australia. I believe it is time to bring the Western Australian economy into modernity. We need to provide people with more flexible trading hours and the ability to access retail stores. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Stirling, Avon and Hillarys. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The last position I heard from the opposition, as opposed to the National Party, was that it supported deregulated trading hours. Is that no longer the case? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Did members opposite say no? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The opposition is going to develop a position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election — Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : I know that the Leader of the Opposition thinks that that position gives him the opportunity to speak at will at any time, but it does not. This question that he is attempting to disrupt did not even emanate from his side of politics. I urge him to desist from interjecting. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Stirling to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In the lead-up to the 2005 state election, the current Leader of the Opposition was reported in the Busselton-Margaret Times as saying that he was encouraging people to vote no to both questions at the upcoming referendum because he felt that the proposed changes would in the long run reduce consumers’ choice and consumer convenience and would impact negatively on many small businesses. To that effect, his photograph appeared in a group of photographs in a newspaper advertisement, a copy of which I have before me, under the heading “We are voting no and no”. His photograph appears along with photographs of Kevin Reynolds, Howard Sattler, Bob Maumill, Frank Hough, Peter Fitzpatrick, Dan Sullivan, whose views I believe have not changed — Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : Is your initiative for the whole state or just Perth? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will remain optional for regional centres. That is what the member wants, is it not? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan : They will remain optional; yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are also photographs of Bob Welch and Margaret Court. Troy Buswell said that small business must be encouraged and protected from the anticompetitive practices of large multinational competitors and from overregulation and excessive taxation. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s position in 2005. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : Sorry? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have that device Sensear to help people with hearing loss. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : In relation to — Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours. Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : — overtaxing, it is most definitely my position. I think the businesses of this state have never been taxed higher. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Retail trading hours — Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : One of the things that people must get used to when they are in a position of leadership is stating their position. The Leader of the Opposition had a clearly stated position. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the second time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition had an unequivocal position on the Brian Burke, Julian Grill, Noel Crichton-Browne campaign that was run in 2004-05 of which the Leader of the Opposition was a part. Is that still his position? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He says, “We will have a position.” Does the Leader of the Opposition support deregulated trading hours? Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr T. Buswell : We will have a position at the next election, and you will see it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was just asked a question about the housing strategy and gave an associated commentary. I pointed out that we made a major release on housing policy last year. I know the Leader of the Opposition is not used to keeping up with matters that are debated in the public domain. We often go out and make foolish statements about matters that have already been aired in this chamber. However, here we go again. In 2005, the Leader of the Opposition was part of the Brian Burke, Noel Crichton-Browne and Julian Grill campaign against the deregulation of retail trading hours. He was clear in his opposition to deregulation. What about subsequently? In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition said to the Sunday Times that in his view retail trading hours should be reformed, and that the state should move towards seven-day trading. Is that still the Leader of the Opposition’s position? Does he support deregulated trading hours? He also said that he would produce a discussion paper in support of his position. This was in July last year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In July last year, the current Leader of the Opposition supported deregulation of retail trading hours and was developing a discussion paper. What has he said this morning, in March 2008, about this very issue? Today, eight months down the track, he said in an interview on ABC Radio that it was one thing for the Premier to talk about deregulation of retail trading hours—I am happy to talk about it, because I have a clear position on it—but that it was high time some detail was placed on the table in the form of a discussion paper and policy outlines. The Leader of the Opposition is still developing his discussion paper. Some discussion! Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr M.J. Birney : Would you have been talking about this six months ago before it went to your caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I was first asked about this matter within weeks of becoming Premier, at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia luncheon in 2006, and I stated quite unequivocally that I support deregulated trading hours. Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr M.J. Birney : You haven’t jumped on the bandwagon since it went to caucus? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. The member asked me a question and I gave him an answer. I have supported deregulated trading hours for a very long time; I cannot remember not supporting it. The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The current Leader of the Opposition, when he was a Liberal Party candidate in Busselton in 2005, was adamant in his opposition to deregulated retail trading hours. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : By the middle of last year he was publicly pronouncing his support for deregulation of retail trading hours. Today he said, “We will develop a position.” He has been developing a discussion paper for at least eight months! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He is the first Leader of the Opposition in history who is too afraid to go outside and speak to the media because he does not want to answer their questions. Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr M.J. Birney : I was. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member was afraid? Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr M.J. Birney : Every now and then, yes! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member may well have been afraid! State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
State politics is in a remarkable situation. The Leader of the Opposition is hiding from the media. Will he go out there this afternoon? He has his pollster here. Will Mr Textor tell the Leader of the Opposition to go out or not? He is not sure now whether — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition is not sure whether he supports deregulated retail trading hours because he does not know how it is playing out in the internal politics of his group. He is still working on the discussion paper he announced last July. I honestly think the Liberal Party could do better. Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
Mr J.E. McGrath interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for South Perth to order for the third and final time.
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