Mark McGowan questions the Premier's tolerance of the National Party's actions, implying they are detrimental to the government's image. The Premier defends the Liberal-National coalition.

AnsweredQoN 678Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 September 2016
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

CONSTITUTION AND ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL 2016 —SPEAKER'S
RULING — STANDING ORDERS SUSPENSION
678. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. How
much longer will the Premier put up with the National Party doing things like
this and making his government look stupid?

AnswerView source ↗

Mr Speaker —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The Liberal Party could technically govern in its own right—we
could. It would be difficult, but we could.
Mr
M.P. Murray interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : After the 1996 election when Richard Court was Premier, the
Liberal Party could have governed in its own right. On both occasions, we chose
to govern in partnership with the National Party, as we have ever since the
formation of the Liberal Party in the postwar years. In the future, we will
continue to govern in partnership with the National Party.
Mr
M.P. Murray interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : There may be differences. There have always been differences
of —
Mr
M. McGowan : Differences!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Yes, there may be. There were differences in the 1990s.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : But the truth is in the 1990s it was a good government. This
government has been incredibly successful for Western Australia across every
single portfolio. We can have differences and we can have differing policies
but we govern as an alliance. We will continue to do so and we hope to do so if
we are successful at the next election.

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