❓ The Minister for Health responds to concerns about the Australian Labor Party's alleged attempts to influence local government regarding the Midland Health Campus public-private partnership, accusing them of being influenced by United Voice and potentially delaying the project.
AnsweredQoN 581Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MIDLAND HEALTH CAMPUS — PUBLIC–PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP — Australian Labor Party CAMPAIGN
I have become aware that Dave Kelly and the Australian Labor Party are seeking to influence local government to spread misinformation on the use of public–private partnerships for hospital developments. Is the minister aware of action being taken in that regard that could delay the development of the Midland Health Campus? Dr K.D. HAMES
I have become aware that Dave Kelly and the Australian Labor Party are seeking to influence local government to spread misinformation on the use of public–private partnerships for hospital developments. Is the minister aware of action being taken in that regard that could delay the development of the Midland Health Campus? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
We have always been aware that the Labor Party dances to the tune of the unions, particularly the miscellaneous workers’ union. Sometimes what falls off the back of a truck is amazing. The first thing that fell off the back of a truck was a letter from a certain lawyer to Mr Dave Kelly of United Voice in response to a question from him about the ability of local governments to run a referendum in conjunction with an election campaign. In the letter, it was asked of the lawyer, “Is a council able to run a referendum in conjunction with its elections?” His response was, yes, it was. That was to Mr Dave Kelly. The next thing is the trail of emails. I will leave names out, even though I have them here. The first email is from the media and lead political organiser of United Voice. She sent an email to the office of the member for Midland. The email reads — Hi Michelle, Attached is the referendum question for City of Swan and the legal advice. Could you please pass these onto the Councillors? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: We have always been aware that the Labor Party dances to the tune of the unions, particularly the miscellaneous workers’ union. Sometimes what falls off the back of a truck is amazing. The first thing that fell off the back of a truck was a letter from a certain lawyer to Mr Dave Kelly of United Voice in response to a question from him about the ability of local governments to run a referendum in conjunction with an election campaign. In the letter, it was asked of the lawyer, “Is a council able to run a referendum in conjunction with its elections?” His response was, yes, it was. That was to Mr Dave Kelly. The next thing is the trail of emails. I will leave names out, even though I have them here. The first email is from the media and lead political organiser of United Voice. She sent an email to the office of the member for Midland. The email reads — Hi Michelle, Attached is the referendum question for City of Swan and the legal advice. Could you please pass these onto the Councillors? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
We have always been aware that the Labor Party dances to the tune of the unions, particularly the miscellaneous workers’ union. Sometimes what falls off the back of a truck is amazing. The first thing that fell off the back of a truck was a letter from a certain lawyer to Mr Dave Kelly of United Voice in response to a question from him about the ability of local governments to run a referendum in conjunction with an election campaign. In the letter, it was asked of the lawyer, “Is a council able to run a referendum in conjunction with its elections?” His response was, yes, it was. That was to Mr Dave Kelly. The next thing is the trail of emails. I will leave names out, even though I have them here. The first email is from the media and lead political organiser of United Voice. She sent an email to the office of the member for Midland. The email reads — Hi Michelle, Attached is the referendum question for City of Swan and the legal advice. Could you please pass these onto the Councillors? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
The next thing is the trail of emails. I will leave names out, even though I have them here. The first email is from the media and lead political organiser of United Voice. She sent an email to the office of the member for Midland. The email reads — Hi Michelle, Attached is the referendum question for City of Swan and the legal advice. Could you please pass these onto the Councillors? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Attached is the referendum question for City of Swan and the legal advice. Could you please pass these onto the Councillors?
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: We have always been aware that the Labor Party dances to the tune of the unions, particularly the miscellaneous workers’ union. Sometimes what falls off the back of a truck is amazing. The first thing that fell off the back of a truck was a letter from a certain lawyer to Mr Dave Kelly of United Voice in response to a question from him about the ability of local governments to run a referendum in conjunction with an election campaign. In the letter, it was asked of the lawyer, “Is a council able to run a referendum in conjunction with its elections?” His response was, yes, it was. That was to Mr Dave Kelly. The next thing is the trail of emails. I will leave names out, even though I have them here. The first email is from the media and lead political organiser of United Voice. She sent an email to the office of the member for Midland. The email reads — Hi Michelle, Attached is the referendum question for City of Swan and the legal advice. Could you please pass these onto the Councillors? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
We have always been aware that the Labor Party dances to the tune of the unions, particularly the miscellaneous workers’ union. Sometimes what falls off the back of a truck is amazing. The first thing that fell off the back of a truck was a letter from a certain lawyer to Mr Dave Kelly of United Voice in response to a question from him about the ability of local governments to run a referendum in conjunction with an election campaign. In the letter, it was asked of the lawyer, “Is a council able to run a referendum in conjunction with its elections?” His response was, yes, it was. That was to Mr Dave Kelly. The next thing is the trail of emails. I will leave names out, even though I have them here. The first email is from the media and lead political organiser of United Voice. She sent an email to the office of the member for Midland. The email reads — Hi Michelle, Attached is the referendum question for City of Swan and the legal advice. Could you please pass these onto the Councillors? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
The next thing is the trail of emails. I will leave names out, even though I have them here. The first email is from the media and lead political organiser of United Voice. She sent an email to the office of the member for Midland. The email reads — Hi Michelle, Attached is the referendum question for City of Swan and the legal advice. Could you please pass these onto the Councillors? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Attached is the referendum question for City of Swan and the legal advice. Could you please pass these onto the Councillors?
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Included with that was a referendum question that asked — Do you support the State Government’s plan to privatise the new Midland Health Campus that will replace Swan Districts Hospital when it closes? That is the first clue—the email. The email goes to Michelle Roberts and then to her electorate office—her non-political electorate office. Then from her non-political electorate office comes an email to Sandra—in this case Sandra Gregorini, who is a councillor with the City of Swan. It states — Hi Sandra Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you. The attachments were the questions for local government. Then from there was an email to “Dear all”, which again includes a few names that I will not read out to protect their privacy, and states — I have received this … request to forward on from Michelle Roberts office to all councillors. Can it be done at the coming council elections? This is an issue in which the United Voice is once again pulling the strings of the Labor Party, and, through the member for Midland, the Labor Party is trying to pull the strings of local government. It is one thing to have a position that opposes what the state government does, but it is a totally different matter for a member of this Parliament, through her electorate office, to try to run a political campaign through local government at a state election; it is a totally different thing. We are aware that Sharryn Jackson ran a very strong campaign during the last federal election against that hospital and against the contracting out of services at the hospital. How did she go? Not only did she lose the seat to the now federal member, Ken Wyatt, but I had a look at all the polling booths around that hospital to see whether our decision had in any way negatively influenced Mr Wyatt’s vote. What did I find? I found that the vote — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Michelle has asked me to forward this email and attachments to you.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I do not think members want this to be the last question today, but they are certainly heading in the right direction for that to happen. If members want more questions asked, I suggest less interjecting. I might be looking at members on my left, but I include members on my right in that comment. Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
Dr K.D. HAMES : There is nothing wrong with members on the other side having a campaign, led as it is by United Voice—they dance to its tune—against what has been done at Fiona Stanley Hospital, even though it was done under the Labor government’s previous policy to contract out services in areas within the hospital system, and even though it is done throughout the rest of Australia under Labor. It is important for local governments not to fall victim to this sort of influence that the member for Midland is trying to have. In my view, it will do one thing; that is, it will delay the project into the future. We will have that hospital ready, as we said, in 2015, but that campaign will delay it. If the council wants to spend money on issues attached to the hospital, it is more than welcome to put money into assisting to provide better services or facilities at that hospital. However, in my view, it should not waste its money going out and campaigning. Every polling booth around the hospital during the federal election, where the Labor candidate ran that campaign, had the biggest swings against the Labor Party in that whole election.
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