A parliamentary question regarding the prioritisation of funding for a mid-west rescue helicopter versus funding perceived to benefit the trade union movement. The Premier's response is defensive and dismissive.

AnsweredQoN 305Legislative Assembly
Asked
30 May 2006
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

EMERGENCY HELICOPTER
I have a supplementary question. What is more important to the government: the rescue helicopter for the mid-west or the membership of the trade union movement? Mr A.J. CARPENTER

AnswerView source ↗

This question is born of ignorance, quite frankly. The funding referred to by the member was not provided for a membership drive at all. Anybody who knew anything about it would know that. I think it is incumbent upon members of Parliament to inform themselves - Mr P.D. Omodei : You are getting angry, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people of Geraldton are about to see me erupt, I am getting so angry! Mr P.D. Omodei : Why don’t you just give them the helicopter? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to be here; it is a wonderful place. The member needs to go back and do a bit more research, find out what the money was for and then ask an informed question.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: This question is born of ignorance, quite frankly. The funding referred to by the member was not provided for a membership drive at all. Anybody who knew anything about it would know that. I think it is incumbent upon members of Parliament to inform themselves - Mr P.D. Omodei : You are getting angry, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people of Geraldton are about to see me erupt, I am getting so angry! Mr P.D. Omodei : Why don’t you just give them the helicopter? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to be here; it is a wonderful place. The member needs to go back and do a bit more research, find out what the money was for and then ask an informed question.
This question is born of ignorance, quite frankly. The funding referred to by the member was not provided for a membership drive at all. Anybody who knew anything about it would know that. I think it is incumbent upon members of Parliament to inform themselves - Mr P.D. Omodei : You are getting angry, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people of Geraldton are about to see me erupt, I am getting so angry! Mr P.D. Omodei : Why don’t you just give them the helicopter? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to be here; it is a wonderful place. The member needs to go back and do a bit more research, find out what the money was for and then ask an informed question.
Mr P.D. Omodei : You are getting angry, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people of Geraldton are about to see me erupt, I am getting so angry! Mr P.D. Omodei : Why don’t you just give them the helicopter? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to be here; it is a wonderful place. The member needs to go back and do a bit more research, find out what the money was for and then ask an informed question.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people of Geraldton are about to see me erupt, I am getting so angry! Mr P.D. Omodei : Why don’t you just give them the helicopter? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to be here; it is a wonderful place. The member needs to go back and do a bit more research, find out what the money was for and then ask an informed question.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Why don’t you just give them the helicopter? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to be here; it is a wonderful place. The member needs to go back and do a bit more research, find out what the money was for and then ask an informed question.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to be here; it is a wonderful place. The member needs to go back and do a bit more research, find out what the money was for and then ask an informed question.

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