❓ Question regarding adequacy of parliamentary sitting hours for debating legislation. The Leader of the House attempts to answer as Minister for Police and Road Safety, linking sitting hours to road safety concerns for members and staff.
AnsweredQoN 265Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SITTING HOURS
The opposition has repeatedly contended that the government is not providing enough sitting hours to debate legislation. Can the Leader of the House please clarify the government’s position on this matter? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
The opposition has repeatedly contended that the government is not providing enough sitting hours to debate legislation. Can the Leader of the House please clarify the government’s position on this matter? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
I will be delighted to clarify the position of the government. The SPEAKER : I advise the Leader of the House that this is question time for ministers, and the Leader of the House is not a ministerial position. If the leader wishes to answer this question, he will need to reflect on it as perhaps the Minister for Police. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, as you know, I am Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety. Point of Order Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : How can the Minister for Police answer a question addressed to the Leader of the House? They are separate offices. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I will be delighted to clarify the position of the government. The SPEAKER : I advise the Leader of the House that this is question time for ministers, and the Leader of the House is not a ministerial position. If the leader wishes to answer this question, he will need to reflect on it as perhaps the Minister for Police. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, as you know, I am Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety. Point of Order Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : How can the Minister for Police answer a question addressed to the Leader of the House? They are separate offices. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
I will be delighted to clarify the position of the government. The SPEAKER : I advise the Leader of the House that this is question time for ministers, and the Leader of the House is not a ministerial position. If the leader wishes to answer this question, he will need to reflect on it as perhaps the Minister for Police. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, as you know, I am Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety. Point of Order Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : How can the Minister for Police answer a question addressed to the Leader of the House? They are separate offices. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : I advise the Leader of the House that this is question time for ministers, and the Leader of the House is not a ministerial position. If the leader wishes to answer this question, he will need to reflect on it as perhaps the Minister for Police. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, as you know, I am Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety. Point of Order Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : How can the Minister for Police answer a question addressed to the Leader of the House? They are separate offices. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, as you know, I am Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety. Point of Order Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : How can the Minister for Police answer a question addressed to the Leader of the House? They are separate offices. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I will be delighted to clarify the position of the government. The SPEAKER : I advise the Leader of the House that this is question time for ministers, and the Leader of the House is not a ministerial position. If the leader wishes to answer this question, he will need to reflect on it as perhaps the Minister for Police. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, as you know, I am Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety. Point of Order Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : How can the Minister for Police answer a question addressed to the Leader of the House? They are separate offices. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
I will be delighted to clarify the position of the government. The SPEAKER : I advise the Leader of the House that this is question time for ministers, and the Leader of the House is not a ministerial position. If the leader wishes to answer this question, he will need to reflect on it as perhaps the Minister for Police. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, as you know, I am Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety. Point of Order Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : How can the Minister for Police answer a question addressed to the Leader of the House? They are separate offices. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : I advise the Leader of the House that this is question time for ministers, and the Leader of the House is not a ministerial position. If the leader wishes to answer this question, he will need to reflect on it as perhaps the Minister for Police. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, as you know, I am Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety. Point of Order Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : How can the Minister for Police answer a question addressed to the Leader of the House? They are separate offices. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, as you know, I am Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety. Point of Order Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : How can the Minister for Police answer a question addressed to the Leader of the House? They are separate offices. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. I have asked the Leader of the House to answer this question as the Minister for Police. That is a ministerial position, and that is what I want to happen in this place. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I thank you, Mr Speaker. As Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety, I want to answer this question because it relates to the long sitting hours of this chamber when members must attend. I obviously want to relate that to the road safety and police aspects. I want to respond to the question because we have been criticised. I have been criticised today by the manager of opposition business for using a motion last night to bring a certain amount of debate on a bill to a conclusion. I did that quite justifiably. Members of the opposition criticise us constantly. Why is it? It is because they say we should be sitting more hours, more days and more weeks. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr E.S. Ripper : You are a lazy government. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am coming to you, my friend. I gave members opposite the opportunity to fully debate the Treasurer’s Advance Authorisation Bill last night. They debated it for nine hours, and 15 hours in total. What did we find? Half the members opposite decided to have an early night. Which ones were they? Which members were missing in action? Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister — Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Murray-Wellington! Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr M. McGOWAN : The member for “never been promoted”. I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
I distinctly heard the Speaker’s ruling that the minister should answer the question within his police portfolio. He is now flashing around a poster of members of the opposition with crosses over their faces. I do not see what the relevance of that is to the Speaker’s ruling in relation to the police portfolio. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : I urge the Minister for Police to answer the question that the member for Kingsley has put to him. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Indeed, Mr Speaker, and I intend to do that, obviously. In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
In relation to the question and to my ministerial responsibility as Minister for Road Safety, I have a concern for not only the members of Parliament in this chamber, but also more importantly the members of staff in this Parliament who last night had to work until very late. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : Order, members to my left! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : It is okay, Mr Speaker, for members on this side of the house to have to risk problems in the area of road safety — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, the opposition thinks it is okay for members of staff to face the risk of road accidents, but that it is not okay for certain members. We had the Leader of the Opposition — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : Order! I say to all members in this place that I would like to see more questions asked and I would like to hear more answers given. The Minister for Police has been in this place for a long time, and he knows that when he engages those on the other side of the house, there is a response and that does not enable us to get through the number of questions we should be getting through and to get through the number of answers that this place deserves to have. I urge the minister to return to the original question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Obviously, I intend to, but I just want to point out — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : — that the temporary Leader of the Opposition went home early last night. He did not bother to stay and debate the very important legislation we dealt with. Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr E.S. Ripper : We had such a good team here, didn’t we? They performed very well! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I hear that he went home to see his favourite program — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The Biggest Loser ! Anybody could be forgiven for thinking they saw members of the opposition sneaking out with their dressing gowns, teddies under their arms and a cup of Ovaltine in their hands going home to have an early night. Those members opposite shirked their responsibilities—only half the Labor Party was in this place. Members opposite said that they supported the legislation and they wanted to vote for it. Some were not in this place to vote for it; they went home with their teddies and their cups of Ovaltine to have a very early night while the rest of us did the work. Therefore, I say shame on the opposition!
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