A WA parliamentary question addresses the Premier regarding the treatment of homeless people during the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, specifically concerning comments made by the police minister and the provision of accommodation and security.

AnsweredQoN 216Legislative Assembly
Asked
12 April 2011
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING 2011 — HOMELESS PEOPLE
I refer to comments by the police minister last week that for homeless people during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, “I will get a tent and a cushion”. (1) Are these comments acceptable, or does the Premier favour the Minister for Community Services’ view that homeless people in the city centre will be put into non-government organisation accommodation during this period? (2) What additional funds will the Premier commit to NGOs accommodating additional homeless people during this period? (3) What security measures will the Premier put in place to ensure those most vulnerable in our community are protected when they are removed from familiar surroundings? Mr C.J. BARNETT

AnswerView source ↗

Before I answer the question, can I also join in expressing sympathy to John D’Orazio’s family and friends. There will be a subsequent opportunity for members to express their views in that regard. (1)–(3) With respect to comments made in debate, sometimes statements made by members in this house create a very unfair position when taken out of context. The minister recognises that. With respect to the issue, though, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be concentrated over a three-day period. I do not anticipate it will have a significant impact on homeless people in Perth at all, but if it does, those people will be treated with respect and found accommodation. I do not expect that to be a significant issue during CHOGM at all.
(1) Are these comments acceptable, or does the Premier favour the Minister for Community Services’ view that homeless people in the city centre will be put into non-government organisation accommodation during this period? (2) What additional funds will the Premier commit to NGOs accommodating additional homeless people during this period? (3) What security measures will the Premier put in place to ensure those most vulnerable in our community are protected when they are removed from familiar surroundings? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Before I answer the question, can I also join in expressing sympathy to John D’Orazio’s family and friends. There will be a subsequent opportunity for members to express their views in that regard. (1)–(3) With respect to comments made in debate, sometimes statements made by members in this house create a very unfair position when taken out of context. The minister recognises that. With respect to the issue, though, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be concentrated over a three-day period. I do not anticipate it will have a significant impact on homeless people in Perth at all, but if it does, those people will be treated with respect and found accommodation. I do not expect that to be a significant issue during CHOGM at all.
(2) What additional funds will the Premier commit to NGOs accommodating additional homeless people during this period? (3) What security measures will the Premier put in place to ensure those most vulnerable in our community are protected when they are removed from familiar surroundings? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Before I answer the question, can I also join in expressing sympathy to John D’Orazio’s family and friends. There will be a subsequent opportunity for members to express their views in that regard. (1)–(3) With respect to comments made in debate, sometimes statements made by members in this house create a very unfair position when taken out of context. The minister recognises that. With respect to the issue, though, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be concentrated over a three-day period. I do not anticipate it will have a significant impact on homeless people in Perth at all, but if it does, those people will be treated with respect and found accommodation. I do not expect that to be a significant issue during CHOGM at all.
(3) What security measures will the Premier put in place to ensure those most vulnerable in our community are protected when they are removed from familiar surroundings? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Before I answer the question, can I also join in expressing sympathy to John D’Orazio’s family and friends. There will be a subsequent opportunity for members to express their views in that regard. (1)–(3) With respect to comments made in debate, sometimes statements made by members in this house create a very unfair position when taken out of context. The minister recognises that. With respect to the issue, though, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be concentrated over a three-day period. I do not anticipate it will have a significant impact on homeless people in Perth at all, but if it does, those people will be treated with respect and found accommodation. I do not expect that to be a significant issue during CHOGM at all.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Before I answer the question, can I also join in expressing sympathy to John D’Orazio’s family and friends. There will be a subsequent opportunity for members to express their views in that regard. (1)–(3) With respect to comments made in debate, sometimes statements made by members in this house create a very unfair position when taken out of context. The minister recognises that. With respect to the issue, though, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be concentrated over a three-day period. I do not anticipate it will have a significant impact on homeless people in Perth at all, but if it does, those people will be treated with respect and found accommodation. I do not expect that to be a significant issue during CHOGM at all.
Before I answer the question, can I also join in expressing sympathy to John D’Orazio’s family and friends. There will be a subsequent opportunity for members to express their views in that regard. (1)–(3) With respect to comments made in debate, sometimes statements made by members in this house create a very unfair position when taken out of context. The minister recognises that. With respect to the issue, though, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be concentrated over a three-day period. I do not anticipate it will have a significant impact on homeless people in Perth at all, but if it does, those people will be treated with respect and found accommodation. I do not expect that to be a significant issue during CHOGM at all.
(1)–(3) With respect to comments made in debate, sometimes statements made by members in this house create a very unfair position when taken out of context. The minister recognises that. With respect to the issue, though, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be concentrated over a three-day period. I do not anticipate it will have a significant impact on homeless people in Perth at all, but if it does, those people will be treated with respect and found accommodation. I do not expect that to be a significant issue during CHOGM at all.

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