❓ Opposition questions the delay in proclaiming sections of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act, particularly regarding truth in sentencing. The Premier explains the delay is due to necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation is not compromised, and accuses the Opposition of delaying tactics.
AnsweredQoN 50Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Why has the Government not proclaimed those sections of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act passed by this Parliament last year which give effect to truth in sentencing and other important matters? (2) On 7 April the Government proclaimed only two sections of the Act dealing with the definition of motor vehicle offences and sentencing guidelines for magistrates. Will the Premier assure the House that the legislation will be proclaimed in the immediate future? Mr COURT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Fremantle for some notice of the question. Before answering it, I make a practical suggestion to the Australian Labor Party: If the member for Fremantle swapped seats with the Leader of the Opposition he would not have to walk backwards and forwards all the time. It is getting a bit giddy in here. Mr McGinty: We are just good mates. We are a team against you. Mr COURT: If they are a team, they should just sit next to each other to make it a bit easier. Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
(2) On 7 April the Government proclaimed only two sections of the Act dealing with the definition of motor vehicle offences and sentencing guidelines for magistrates. Will the Premier assure the House that the legislation will be proclaimed in the immediate future? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Fremantle for some notice of the question. Before answering it, I make a practical suggestion to the Australian Labor Party: If the member for Fremantle swapped seats with the Leader of the Opposition he would not have to walk backwards and forwards all the time. It is getting a bit giddy in here. Mr McGinty: We are just good mates. We are a team against you. Mr COURT: If they are a team, they should just sit next to each other to make it a bit easier. Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr COURT replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Fremantle for some notice of the question. Before answering it, I make a practical suggestion to the Australian Labor Party: If the member for Fremantle swapped seats with the Leader of the Opposition he would not have to walk backwards and forwards all the time. It is getting a bit giddy in here. Mr McGinty: We are just good mates. We are a team against you. Mr COURT: If they are a team, they should just sit next to each other to make it a bit easier. Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Fremantle for some notice of the question. Before answering it, I make a practical suggestion to the Australian Labor Party: If the member for Fremantle swapped seats with the Leader of the Opposition he would not have to walk backwards and forwards all the time. It is getting a bit giddy in here. Mr McGinty: We are just good mates. We are a team against you. Mr COURT: If they are a team, they should just sit next to each other to make it a bit easier. Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr COURT: If they are a team, they should just sit next to each other to make it a bit easier. Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
(2) On 7 April the Government proclaimed only two sections of the Act dealing with the definition of motor vehicle offences and sentencing guidelines for magistrates. Will the Premier assure the House that the legislation will be proclaimed in the immediate future? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Fremantle for some notice of the question. Before answering it, I make a practical suggestion to the Australian Labor Party: If the member for Fremantle swapped seats with the Leader of the Opposition he would not have to walk backwards and forwards all the time. It is getting a bit giddy in here. Mr McGinty: We are just good mates. We are a team against you. Mr COURT: If they are a team, they should just sit next to each other to make it a bit easier. Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr COURT replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Fremantle for some notice of the question. Before answering it, I make a practical suggestion to the Australian Labor Party: If the member for Fremantle swapped seats with the Leader of the Opposition he would not have to walk backwards and forwards all the time. It is getting a bit giddy in here. Mr McGinty: We are just good mates. We are a team against you. Mr COURT: If they are a team, they should just sit next to each other to make it a bit easier. Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Fremantle for some notice of the question. Before answering it, I make a practical suggestion to the Australian Labor Party: If the member for Fremantle swapped seats with the Leader of the Opposition he would not have to walk backwards and forwards all the time. It is getting a bit giddy in here. Mr McGinty: We are just good mates. We are a team against you. Mr COURT: If they are a team, they should just sit next to each other to make it a bit easier. Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr COURT: If they are a team, they should just sit next to each other to make it a bit easier. Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Section 15 of the Sentencing Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 1999 requires that sentences be adjusted to ensure that a prisoner sentenced under the new regime does not serve any longer than he would have under the old regime. At the time the legislation was before the Legislative Council, the Government agreed with the Australian Democrats to amend it to retain existing provisions relating to home detention orders and work release. Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Several members interjected. Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr McGinty: I wouldn't mind hearing the Premier. Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr COURT: I will talk to the Speaker. Following the passage of the legislation, the Government became aware, as a result of the amendment, that the legislation may not have succeeded in giving sufficiently clear direction to the courts on the adjustment of sentences. Consequently, Cabinet approved the drafting of necessary amendments to ensure the original intent of the legislation was not compromised. These amendments will be introduced into the Parliament with the utmost urgency and I trust they will be passed rapidly with the support of the Opposition. I also hope that the Opposition will support the passage of the part of the sentencing legislation - the sentencing matrix - that it removed in the upper House. The matrix is currently being held up by Labor's delaying tactics in the upper House. The Opposition is preventing its reinstatement and referral to the Standing Committee on Legislation. I specifically ask the Opposition to make public in full its attitude to the sentencing matrix, which is essential to deal with such matters as increasing the penalties for crimes against the elderly. The truth therefore is that Labor has tried to avoid dealing with this issue and is still filibustering in the upper House. Points of Order Mr BROWN: Mr Speaker, can you advise whether the standing orders permit me to ask why questions which were on the Notice Paper for a considerable time in the last session of Parliament have now been repeated and still have not been answered? A few ministers have gone to sleep when it comes to answering questions. Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr BARNETT: It is my understanding that some 477 questions from the last session of Parliament have been reinstated on the Notice Paper. Those questions are now being assessed to ensure that they are identical. However, it is my understanding that, given the Parliament was prorogued, effectively they revert to day one as new questions in terms of the time for response. However, I assure the member that the ministers will do their best to answer those questions as quickly as possible. The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
The SPEAKER: The Leader of the House has answered the member's question. It is a new session and the time starts again. Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr Brown: That is disgraceful. Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
Mr Barnett: No, it is not.
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