❓ Question concerns the Liberal-National government's push for mandatory minimum sentences for assaults against public officers, highlighting increased assaults under the previous Labor government and asserting a public mandate for the legislation.
AnsweredQoN 215Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ASSAULTS AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICERS — MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES
I refer to the government’s push to provide mandatory minimum sentences for people who assault police and other public officers. Having served as a police officer for 27 years, I have been on the receiving end of assaults and I welcome the move by the Liberal-National government to correct eight years of indefensible inaction on this issue by members opposite. Can the Premier explain the significance of the move to provide mandatory minimum sentences and the responsibility that the Parliament has to reflect the public sentiment on this issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the government’s push to provide mandatory minimum sentences for people who assault police and other public officers. Having served as a police officer for 27 years, I have been on the receiving end of assaults and I welcome the move by the Liberal-National government to correct eight years of indefensible inaction on this issue by members opposite. Can the Premier explain the significance of the move to provide mandatory minimum sentences and the responsibility that the Parliament has to reflect the public sentiment on this issue? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. As a long-time serving police officer, no-one is better qualified in this Parliament to advocate for mandatory sentences for those who assault police officers. The member for Murray-Wellington is a man who has been on the front line and has been assaulted, and he speaks on behalf of his former colleagues and police officers of today. This issue is hardly new. The Liberal and National Parties as long ago as 2004 committed to our policy to mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers causing bodily harm. It was an issue and a policy in the 2005 election and since then, under the government of the Labor Party, serious assaults against police officers have increased threefold—threefold! The outrage in the community at present is understandable given recent circumstances. During the last election campaign in August and September last year, not that long ago, the Liberal and National Parties made it very clear on numerous occasions, such as at the campaign launch and the leader’s debate—we made it abundantly clear — Mr E.S. Ripper : You said you’d do it in 100 days; you broke that promise. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. As a long-time serving police officer, no-one is better qualified in this Parliament to advocate for mandatory sentences for those who assault police officers. The member for Murray-Wellington is a man who has been on the front line and has been assaulted, and he speaks on behalf of his former colleagues and police officers of today. This issue is hardly new. The Liberal and National Parties as long ago as 2004 committed to our policy to mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers causing bodily harm. It was an issue and a policy in the 2005 election and since then, under the government of the Labor Party, serious assaults against police officers have increased threefold—threefold! The outrage in the community at present is understandable given recent circumstances. During the last election campaign in August and September last year, not that long ago, the Liberal and National Parties made it very clear on numerous occasions, such as at the campaign launch and the leader’s debate—we made it abundantly clear — Mr E.S. Ripper : You said you’d do it in 100 days; you broke that promise. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
I thank the member for the question. As a long-time serving police officer, no-one is better qualified in this Parliament to advocate for mandatory sentences for those who assault police officers. The member for Murray-Wellington is a man who has been on the front line and has been assaulted, and he speaks on behalf of his former colleagues and police officers of today. This issue is hardly new. The Liberal and National Parties as long ago as 2004 committed to our policy to mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers causing bodily harm. It was an issue and a policy in the 2005 election and since then, under the government of the Labor Party, serious assaults against police officers have increased threefold—threefold! The outrage in the community at present is understandable given recent circumstances. During the last election campaign in August and September last year, not that long ago, the Liberal and National Parties made it very clear on numerous occasions, such as at the campaign launch and the leader’s debate—we made it abundantly clear — Mr E.S. Ripper : You said you’d do it in 100 days; you broke that promise. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
This issue is hardly new. The Liberal and National Parties as long ago as 2004 committed to our policy to mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers causing bodily harm. It was an issue and a policy in the 2005 election and since then, under the government of the Labor Party, serious assaults against police officers have increased threefold—threefold! The outrage in the community at present is understandable given recent circumstances. During the last election campaign in August and September last year, not that long ago, the Liberal and National Parties made it very clear on numerous occasions, such as at the campaign launch and the leader’s debate—we made it abundantly clear — Mr E.S. Ripper : You said you’d do it in 100 days; you broke that promise. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You said you’d do it in 100 days; you broke that promise. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. As a long-time serving police officer, no-one is better qualified in this Parliament to advocate for mandatory sentences for those who assault police officers. The member for Murray-Wellington is a man who has been on the front line and has been assaulted, and he speaks on behalf of his former colleagues and police officers of today. This issue is hardly new. The Liberal and National Parties as long ago as 2004 committed to our policy to mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers causing bodily harm. It was an issue and a policy in the 2005 election and since then, under the government of the Labor Party, serious assaults against police officers have increased threefold—threefold! The outrage in the community at present is understandable given recent circumstances. During the last election campaign in August and September last year, not that long ago, the Liberal and National Parties made it very clear on numerous occasions, such as at the campaign launch and the leader’s debate—we made it abundantly clear — Mr E.S. Ripper : You said you’d do it in 100 days; you broke that promise. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
I thank the member for the question. As a long-time serving police officer, no-one is better qualified in this Parliament to advocate for mandatory sentences for those who assault police officers. The member for Murray-Wellington is a man who has been on the front line and has been assaulted, and he speaks on behalf of his former colleagues and police officers of today. This issue is hardly new. The Liberal and National Parties as long ago as 2004 committed to our policy to mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers causing bodily harm. It was an issue and a policy in the 2005 election and since then, under the government of the Labor Party, serious assaults against police officers have increased threefold—threefold! The outrage in the community at present is understandable given recent circumstances. During the last election campaign in August and September last year, not that long ago, the Liberal and National Parties made it very clear on numerous occasions, such as at the campaign launch and the leader’s debate—we made it abundantly clear — Mr E.S. Ripper : You said you’d do it in 100 days; you broke that promise. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
This issue is hardly new. The Liberal and National Parties as long ago as 2004 committed to our policy to mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers causing bodily harm. It was an issue and a policy in the 2005 election and since then, under the government of the Labor Party, serious assaults against police officers have increased threefold—threefold! The outrage in the community at present is understandable given recent circumstances. During the last election campaign in August and September last year, not that long ago, the Liberal and National Parties made it very clear on numerous occasions, such as at the campaign launch and the leader’s debate—we made it abundantly clear — Mr E.S. Ripper : You said you’d do it in 100 days; you broke that promise. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You said you’d do it in 100 days; you broke that promise. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We made it abundantly clear and I do not know how many times I said it and how many times the now police minister and the now Attorney General said — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that if people assault one of our police officers—one of the policemen or policewomen—and that causes bodily harm, they will go to jail. It was a defining issue in the electorate. Every member in leaflets, brochures and addresses to local communities spoke about the Liberal-National commitment to mandatory sentences for serious assaults on police officers. It was a defining issue and a dividing issue in the election campaign and I say — Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr T.G. Stephens interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Pilbara! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a clear mandate in Western Australia for this government to introduce and pass this legislation. If members opposite wish to go against the will of the people, it will be on their heads. In this debate, some laugh already — Point of Order Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is completely inappropriate for the Premier to characterise the behaviour of members opposite when they have no opportunity to correct the record. The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, we have a mandate. This was a defining issue, a major issue, in the election campaign. The legislation for mandatory sentencing was introduced and second read into this Parliament on 4 December. It is now three months on — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It is well past the 100-day promise, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I know and members on this side know that the Labor Party does not support the legislation. We know that. We do not have to look very far. The former police minister, the member for Balcatta, in a report in The West Australian last year stated — “Given the range and complexity of cases involved in assaults against public officers, mandatory sentencing for all assaults is simply unworkable,” In another article he stated — “Each individual case needs to be assessed. If you remove some discretion from the judges when they are determining the actual penalty then you end up with a whole range of outcomes which people may not be happy with.” He went on in another article and stated that it is — …a “knee-jerk and emotive reaction”. And he went on and on. In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
In this house the former Premier stated — There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers… In another quote the former Premier stated — Mandatory sentencing in and of itself creates a lot of problems. He went on and on. The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The former Attorney General—let us quote him! He was reported, again in The West Australian , on 22 August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing — Mr J.A. McGinty interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Which part of that can the member not remember? The report stated — Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers because it had unintended consequences where people at the lower end of the scale who committed minor offences could be jailed. Which part can the member not remember? Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr J.A. McGinty : Your exemptions—don’t you remember them? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr McGinty said he did not support mandatory sentencing. Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr J.A. McGinty : You don’t support it yourself! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Therefore, the former Premier, the former police minister and the former Attorney General are all on the public record opposing mandatory sentences throughout the election campaign. Did Labor Party members come out and support mandatory sentences for assaults on police officers? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No they did not! They argued against it repeatedly. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It was a defining issue. This side of politics has a mandate; it is bringing the legislation in. I call on all members opposite: if they do not support mandatory sentencing, fair enough, but do not defy the public will as shown at the election. Do not defy the will of the people of Western Australia who voted for mandatory sentencing—again, look at them laughing! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : An advertisement placed in this morning’s The West Australian by the Western Australian Police Union stated — How can they protect us, if we don’t help protect them? The police are asking: how can they protect us if we do not act? Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
Members on this side will act. We will act and we will stand by our police officers; the men and women who are charged with the responsibility of going into dangerous, violent, risky situations. The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
The opposition can argue its position. Everyone in Western Australia, and everyone demonstrating outside Parliament House this afternoon, knows that the Labor Party, man and woman, does not support mandatory sentencing. If any member opposite has the courage to stand today and indicate his or her support for mandatory sentencing for assaults on police officers, we will be pleased to hear it! Every member of the Liberal-National government supports this position.
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