Hon Peter Foss asks who received a taxpayer-funded fax sent by Hon Tom Stephens to the WA Christian community. Stephens avoids answering, leading to points of order and debate.

AnsweredQoN 250Legislative Council
Asked
17 October 2002
Portfolio
Housing and Works

QuestionView source ↗

Who was the recipient of the single taxpayer-funded fax that the minister addressed and sent to the Western Australian Christian community? Hon TOM STEPHENS

AnswerView source ↗

Under this portfolio, I am currently wrestling with a federal minister who is trying to rip away funds from public housing and a community in grief in response to the Bali bombings.  This member opposite asks me a question - Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE:  There is some requirement on the part of the minister to relate his answer to the question.  A minute ago we had no answers to any questions.  Is there any prospect of this minister being directed to at least answer the question? The PRESIDENT:  I am sure the minister is about to address the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS:  This member has the gall to ask that question when he sits beside a Leader of the Opposition who was asked similar questions relating to the use of his fax machine to send invitations to Young Liberals in Kalgoorlie when he was the Minister for Mines.  Do members remember his answers on that issue back then? Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE:  The question just asked by Hon Peter Foss related to the minister’s fax machine.  However, the matter to which the minister just referred was investigated and action was taken. Hon Tom Stephens:  Were you reprimanded by the then Premier? Hon NORMAN MOORE:  No.  However, I asked the minister why he was reprimanded and he would not say.  I then asked him what was the nature of that reprimand and he still would not say.  He should answer the question. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members!  I was going to say that this is turning into a debate but that would dignify it too much.  Hon Peter Foss is seeking a response to his question but I am sure the minister has finished. Hon Peter Foss:  Is the minister refusing to answer that question or was that the answer? The PRESIDENT:  I give the call to the Hon Barry House because it appears that the minister is remaining seated. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: Under this portfolio, I am currently wrestling with a federal minister who is trying to rip away funds from public housing and a community in grief in response to the Bali bombings.  This member opposite asks me a question - Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE:  There is some requirement on the part of the minister to relate his answer to the question.  A minute ago we had no answers to any questions.  Is there any prospect of this minister being directed to at least answer the question? The PRESIDENT:  I am sure the minister is about to address the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS:  This member has the gall to ask that question when he sits beside a Leader of the Opposition who was asked similar questions relating to the use of his fax machine to send invitations to Young Liberals in Kalgoorlie when he was the Minister for Mines.  Do members remember his answers on that issue back then? Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE:  The question just asked by Hon Peter Foss related to the minister’s fax machine.  However, the matter to which the minister just referred was investigated and action was taken. Hon Tom Stephens:  Were you reprimanded by the then Premier? Hon NORMAN MOORE:  No.  However, I asked the minister why he was reprimanded and he would not say.  I then asked him what was the nature of that reprimand and he still would not say.  He should answer the question. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members!  I was going to say that this is turning into a debate but that would dignify it too much.  Hon Peter Foss is seeking a response to his question but I am sure the minister has finished. Hon Peter Foss:  Is the minister refusing to answer that question or was that the answer? The PRESIDENT:  I give the call to the Hon Barry House because it appears that the minister is remaining seated. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
Under this portfolio, I am currently wrestling with a federal minister who is trying to rip away funds from public housing and a community in grief in response to the Bali bombings.  This member opposite asks me a question - Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE:  There is some requirement on the part of the minister to relate his answer to the question.  A minute ago we had no answers to any questions.  Is there any prospect of this minister being directed to at least answer the question? The PRESIDENT:  I am sure the minister is about to address the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS:  This member has the gall to ask that question when he sits beside a Leader of the Opposition who was asked similar questions relating to the use of his fax machine to send invitations to Young Liberals in Kalgoorlie when he was the Minister for Mines.  Do members remember his answers on that issue back then? Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE:  The question just asked by Hon Peter Foss related to the minister’s fax machine.  However, the matter to which the minister just referred was investigated and action was taken. Hon Tom Stephens:  Were you reprimanded by the then Premier? Hon NORMAN MOORE:  No.  However, I asked the minister why he was reprimanded and he would not say.  I then asked him what was the nature of that reprimand and he still would not say.  He should answer the question. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members!  I was going to say that this is turning into a debate but that would dignify it too much.  Hon Peter Foss is seeking a response to his question but I am sure the minister has finished. Hon Peter Foss:  Is the minister refusing to answer that question or was that the answer? The PRESIDENT:  I give the call to the Hon Barry House because it appears that the minister is remaining seated. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
The PRESIDENT:  I am sure the minister is about to address the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS:  This member has the gall to ask that question when he sits beside a Leader of the Opposition who was asked similar questions relating to the use of his fax machine to send invitations to Young Liberals in Kalgoorlie when he was the Minister for Mines.  Do members remember his answers on that issue back then? Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE:  The question just asked by Hon Peter Foss related to the minister’s fax machine.  However, the matter to which the minister just referred was investigated and action was taken. Hon Tom Stephens:  Were you reprimanded by the then Premier? Hon NORMAN MOORE:  No.  However, I asked the minister why he was reprimanded and he would not say.  I then asked him what was the nature of that reprimand and he still would not say.  He should answer the question. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members!  I was going to say that this is turning into a debate but that would dignify it too much.  Hon Peter Foss is seeking a response to his question but I am sure the minister has finished. Hon Peter Foss:  Is the minister refusing to answer that question or was that the answer? The PRESIDENT:  I give the call to the Hon Barry House because it appears that the minister is remaining seated. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
Hon Tom Stephens:  Were you reprimanded by the then Premier? Hon NORMAN MOORE:  No.  However, I asked the minister why he was reprimanded and he would not say.  I then asked him what was the nature of that reprimand and he still would not say.  He should answer the question. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members!  I was going to say that this is turning into a debate but that would dignify it too much.  Hon Peter Foss is seeking a response to his question but I am sure the minister has finished. Hon Peter Foss:  Is the minister refusing to answer that question or was that the answer? The PRESIDENT:  I give the call to the Hon Barry House because it appears that the minister is remaining seated. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
Hon NORMAN MOORE:  No.  However, I asked the minister why he was reprimanded and he would not say.  I then asked him what was the nature of that reprimand and he still would not say.  He should answer the question. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members!  I was going to say that this is turning into a debate but that would dignify it too much.  Hon Peter Foss is seeking a response to his question but I am sure the minister has finished. Hon Peter Foss:  Is the minister refusing to answer that question or was that the answer? The PRESIDENT:  I give the call to the Hon Barry House because it appears that the minister is remaining seated. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
The PRESIDENT:  Order, members!  I was going to say that this is turning into a debate but that would dignify it too much.  Hon Peter Foss is seeking a response to his question but I am sure the minister has finished. Hon Peter Foss:  Is the minister refusing to answer that question or was that the answer? The PRESIDENT:  I give the call to the Hon Barry House because it appears that the minister is remaining seated. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
Hon Peter Foss:  Is the minister refusing to answer that question or was that the answer? The PRESIDENT:  I give the call to the Hon Barry House because it appears that the minister is remaining seated. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
The PRESIDENT:  I give the call to the Hon Barry House because it appears that the minister is remaining seated. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed
The PRESIDENT:  Order, members! Questions without Notice Resumed

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