❓ Opposition questions the Attorney General about the exclusion of fraud statistics from the government's reported crime figures, despite a claimed overall decrease in crime. The Attorney General defends the exclusion, stating it's a standard measure focusing on offences against property and person.
AnsweredQoN 18Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REPORTED CRIME STATISTICS
As the police minister has so loyally dropped the Attorney General into it, my question is to the Attorney General. I refer to the Attorney General’s public claims that overall reported crime in Western Australia fell 8.5 per cent in 2009 compared with 2008. (1) Is the Attorney General aware that in the last completed financial year fraud accounted for nearly 10 000 offences? (2) Is the Attorney General aware that fraud, as a category of crime, is completely missing from the government’s recently released crime statistics? (3) Does the Attorney General have an explanation for this? Mr C.C. PORTER
As the police minister has so loyally dropped the Attorney General into it, my question is to the Attorney General. I refer to the Attorney General’s public claims that overall reported crime in Western Australia fell 8.5 per cent in 2009 compared with 2008. (1) Is the Attorney General aware that in the last completed financial year fraud accounted for nearly 10 000 offences? (2) Is the Attorney General aware that fraud, as a category of crime, is completely missing from the government’s recently released crime statistics? (3) Does the Attorney General have an explanation for this? Mr C.C. PORTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
(1) Is the Attorney General aware that in the last completed financial year fraud accounted for nearly 10 000 offences? (2) Is the Attorney General aware that fraud, as a category of crime, is completely missing from the government’s recently released crime statistics? (3) Does the Attorney General have an explanation for this? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
(2) Is the Attorney General aware that fraud, as a category of crime, is completely missing from the government’s recently released crime statistics? (3) Does the Attorney General have an explanation for this? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
(3) Does the Attorney General have an explanation for this? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
(1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
(1) Is the Attorney General aware that in the last completed financial year fraud accounted for nearly 10 000 offences? (2) Is the Attorney General aware that fraud, as a category of crime, is completely missing from the government’s recently released crime statistics? (3) Does the Attorney General have an explanation for this? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
(2) Is the Attorney General aware that fraud, as a category of crime, is completely missing from the government’s recently released crime statistics? (3) Does the Attorney General have an explanation for this? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
(3) Does the Attorney General have an explanation for this? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
(1)–(3) I am aware of that figure with respect to fraud, and I am very pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has asked this question, because I can talk about these crime statistics for some time. I think they are very important to the people of Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : That measure that we have cited as overall reported crime — Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Answer the question about fraud—please. Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Just relax. Let me explain what the figure for overall reported crime does. It looks at offences against property and offences against the person. It is the standard measure of overall reported crime. Does it include every single crime? No, it does not. Fraud is one of those areas that has been historically left out of this measure. But this is a very standard measure. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : It certainly has, and let me go through — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Warnbro. It is the second time I have heard these questions asked in this place today, and I would like to hear the Attorney General’s answer, as I am sure a lot of people would. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Mindarie. I would suggest to you, members, that you might like to listen a little more quietly—all of you. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr J.R. Quigley : What if he doesn’t answer? The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you for the second time. Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : This is a desperate scrambling around to explain away a very positive result for the people of Western Australia. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : That positive result is 18 000 fewer offences in 2009 compared with the situation in 2008 in the following categories, and let us assess what they are. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : They are, firstly, homicide; secondly, sexual assault; thirdly, threats and threatening behaviour; fourthly, deprivation of liberty; and fifthly, robbery. These make up the standard measure of offences against the person. Then there is, sixthly, burglary; seventhly, motor vehicle theft; eighthly, arson; and, ninthly, property damage. These traditionally make up — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. I notice that the person who asked the question, the Leader of the Opposition, is trying to listen. The members for Midland and Warnbro might give the Leader of the Opposition a chance to hear the answer to the question. You might not like the answer that you are hearing, but give the Leader of the Opposition respect and the chance to hear that answer. I call the member for Midland for the second time, and the member for Warnbro for the first. I give the call to the Attorney General. Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Thank you, Mr Speaker The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The first grouping was offences against the person; the next grouping that I mentioned were offences against property—burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft, arson and property damage. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Fraud! Fraud was in that list, and you took it out! Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : There are standard measures, and what we have done—which is what is traditionally done—is compare this bundle of offences with the same bundle of offences from the previous year. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Attorney General. If members want question time to finish at 12 minutes past two, I am quite happy to oblige. If members would like question time to continue, might I suggest that they desist from interjecting. As I have said before, you might not like the answer that the Attorney General is giving, but the Attorney General is giving the answer. I give the call to the Attorney General. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The manager of opposition business, the member for Rockingham, accused me and the Attorney General of lying; they were the words he used. He called me a liar and the Attorney General a liar, and I demand, Mr Speaker, that he retract that and apologise. The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat. Members, thank you. Member for Rockingham, I did not hear you say those words, but if you did, I would ask you to withdraw. Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker, I said them loudly, and I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.C. PORTER : In those key categories of criminal behaviour, which is the standard measure and the same as the comparative measure that we are basing on the previous year and the year before that, we have had an 8.5 per cent decrease in total, overall reported crime. Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Several members interjected. Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Reported offences against property dramatically decreased in every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008, with an overall drop in that very important area to the citizens of Western Australia of 11.5 per cent in the October to December quarter. Burglary decreased every quarter in 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 12.6 per cent in the October to December period. Motor vehicle theft decreased in every quarter of 2009 compared with 2008; it was down by 14 per cent in the October to December quarter. Theft decreased in every quarter in 2009; it was down by 13.6 per cent in the October to December period. We have compared the key cluster of crimes in 2009 with the key cluster of crimes in 2008 and 2007, and there has been an absolutely unheralded decrease in those figures, and the opposition just cannot stomach a success, particularly not a success that benefits the constituents in every electorate of every member in this house.
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