❓ Opposition Leader Mark McGowan questions Premier Colin Barnett about the Liberal Party President Norman Moore's potential conflict of interest regarding lobbying activities and registration. The Premier defends Moore and accuses the Labor Party of hypocrisy regarding past dealings with lobbyists.
AnsweredQoN 622Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CANNINGS
PURPLE — LIBERAL PARTY PRESIDENT
622. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
In asking my question I say this: I think it is highly
inappropriate —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Leader of the Opposition, I want you to ask your question.
Mr M. McGOWAN : In
asking my question, it is inappropriate for government staffers to gatecrash
opposition events. Do not gatecrash our events!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Right.
Dr M.D. Nahan : Is
that a question to me?
The SPEAKER :
Minister, it is not a question to you. I want to hear the Leader of the
Opposition's question.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Do
not gatecrash our events. My question without notice is to the Premier.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Joondalup!
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr
Speaker, you gave me the call.
The SPEAKER : Yes,
I am calling him to order. Member for Joondalup, I call you to order for the
second time. Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, I call you
to order for the second time. I call the member for Wanneroo to order for the
second time. I give the Leader of the Opposition the call.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I
refer to the —
Mr A. Krsticevic interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Carine, I call you to order for the second time.
Mr M. McGOWAN :
Premier, I refer to the Contact with Lobbyists Code, which clearly states —
Lobbyists shall keep strictly separate from their
duties and activities as Lobbyists any personal activity or involvement on
behalf of a political party .
(1) Is the
reason the Premier is not directing Mr Moore's name be placed on the
Register of Lobbyists because then he would need to resign as Liberal Party
president?
(2) Will the
Premier ban his ministers, their officers and public servants from meeting Mr Moore
or Cannings Purple representatives until his name is on that register; and, if
not, why not?
PURPLE — LIBERAL PARTY PRESIDENT
622. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
In asking my question I say this: I think it is highly
inappropriate —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Leader of the Opposition, I want you to ask your question.
Mr M. McGOWAN : In
asking my question, it is inappropriate for government staffers to gatecrash
opposition events. Do not gatecrash our events!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Right.
Dr M.D. Nahan : Is
that a question to me?
The SPEAKER :
Minister, it is not a question to you. I want to hear the Leader of the
Opposition's question.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Do
not gatecrash our events. My question without notice is to the Premier.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Joondalup!
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr
Speaker, you gave me the call.
The SPEAKER : Yes,
I am calling him to order. Member for Joondalup, I call you to order for the
second time. Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, I call you
to order for the second time. I call the member for Wanneroo to order for the
second time. I give the Leader of the Opposition the call.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I
refer to the —
Mr A. Krsticevic interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Carine, I call you to order for the second time.
Mr M. McGOWAN :
Premier, I refer to the Contact with Lobbyists Code, which clearly states —
Lobbyists shall keep strictly separate from their
duties and activities as Lobbyists any personal activity or involvement on
behalf of a political party .
(1) Is the
reason the Premier is not directing Mr Moore's name be placed on the
Register of Lobbyists because then he would need to resign as Liberal Party
president?
(2) Will the
Premier ban his ministers, their officers and public servants from meeting Mr Moore
or Cannings Purple representatives until his name is on that register; and, if
not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
I am not going to direct Norman Moore to be a registered lobbyist. That is a
decision that he can make for himself. As I have said in this chamber, because
of any perception that there could be a conflict of interest, I have instructed
ministers that if they have any contact with Mr Moore regarding anything to do
with government activity or business, they are to treat it as though he were a
lobbyist. Norman Moore, as Liberal Party president, will obviously come into
contact with me and others, but should any conversation head towards government
activity, it will be recorded and reported as though he were a lobbyist. I have
not spoken to Norman directly about this issue. I am sure I will at some stage.
I understand that his argument is that he is not involved in direct lobbying
activity; indeed, I have no evidence that he is engaged in any activity.
Mr M. McGowan : Ha, ha!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
He has not. He certainly has not thought to speak to me. I put ministers on
notice immediately and no‑one has reported any activity of that like.
Norman Moore is a 36-year member of this Parliament. He has been a senior
minister, and he is a responsible person, a long-serving Liberal and, I think,
a good person to be president, but I am sure it will occur to him that if he sees
any conflict at all, he will act.
Mr M. McGowan : Oh!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Give me an example?
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
Trust him—he's a Liberal!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is just a little bit rich for the Labor Party to talk about lobbyists—as
four of you went before the Corruption and Crime Commission because of their
activities with lobbyists. It was appalling behaviour—and it comes and
talks to us! Has anyone noticed that the CCC has not been that busy recently
because there is a Liberal–National Party in government? It was on
overtime when the Labor Party was in government. The CCC was recruiting people
and having inquiries everywhere. It had all sorts of inquiries. Here is the
Labor Party! The rats are back in town! Gear up the CCC! You had two goes at
government. You had the WA Inc period disgrace. You had another go and five of
you had to resign from cabinet because of your financial dealings and your
actions as lobbyists—and there are still a few of you there. Until you
go, you will always be seen as the rats of WA politics.
I have no experience of Norman Moore seeking to use his
position. I would prefer it if he did register. That would make it cleaner, but
that is his decision.
I am not going to direct Norman Moore to be a registered lobbyist. That is a
decision that he can make for himself. As I have said in this chamber, because
of any perception that there could be a conflict of interest, I have instructed
ministers that if they have any contact with Mr Moore regarding anything to do
with government activity or business, they are to treat it as though he were a
lobbyist. Norman Moore, as Liberal Party president, will obviously come into
contact with me and others, but should any conversation head towards government
activity, it will be recorded and reported as though he were a lobbyist. I have
not spoken to Norman directly about this issue. I am sure I will at some stage.
I understand that his argument is that he is not involved in direct lobbying
activity; indeed, I have no evidence that he is engaged in any activity.
Mr M. McGowan : Ha, ha!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
He has not. He certainly has not thought to speak to me. I put ministers on
notice immediately and no‑one has reported any activity of that like.
Norman Moore is a 36-year member of this Parliament. He has been a senior
minister, and he is a responsible person, a long-serving Liberal and, I think,
a good person to be president, but I am sure it will occur to him that if he sees
any conflict at all, he will act.
Mr M. McGowan : Oh!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Give me an example?
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
Trust him—he's a Liberal!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is just a little bit rich for the Labor Party to talk about lobbyists—as
four of you went before the Corruption and Crime Commission because of their
activities with lobbyists. It was appalling behaviour—and it comes and
talks to us! Has anyone noticed that the CCC has not been that busy recently
because there is a Liberal–National Party in government? It was on
overtime when the Labor Party was in government. The CCC was recruiting people
and having inquiries everywhere. It had all sorts of inquiries. Here is the
Labor Party! The rats are back in town! Gear up the CCC! You had two goes at
government. You had the WA Inc period disgrace. You had another go and five of
you had to resign from cabinet because of your financial dealings and your
actions as lobbyists—and there are still a few of you there. Until you
go, you will always be seen as the rats of WA politics.
I have no experience of Norman Moore seeking to use his
position. I would prefer it if he did register. That would make it cleaner, but
that is his decision.
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