❓ Mr. Murray questions Mr. Redman (Leader of the National Party) about an apparent contradiction in supporting the AvonLink rail service closure and then advocating for its retention. Redman's response is evasive, emphasizing government processes and the actions of another member.
AnsweredQoN 851Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AVONLINK SERVICE —
DISCONTINUANCE
851. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Leader of the National Party:
I refer to the closure of the AvonLink rail service from January 2014, which the Leader of the
National Party supports as a member of cabinet, and the lodgement of petitions
to the house to retain the service.
(1) After
supporting the rail closure in government, why is the Leader of the National
Party now advocating to retain it?
(2) Did the
Leader of the National Party have an agreement with the Minister for Transport
before this decision was made?
(3) If yes to (2), why is the Leader of the National Party
campaigning against it now?
DISCONTINUANCE
851. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Leader of the National Party:
I refer to the closure of the AvonLink rail service from January 2014, which the Leader of the
National Party supports as a member of cabinet, and the lodgement of petitions
to the house to retain the service.
(1) After
supporting the rail closure in government, why is the Leader of the National
Party now advocating to retain it?
(2) Did the
Leader of the National Party have an agreement with the Minister for Transport
before this decision was made?
(3) If yes to (2), why is the Leader of the National Party
campaigning against it now?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
The member has asked a question about AvonLink ,
which comes under the portfolio of the Minister for Transport. As the Leader of
the National Party, however, it is appropriate that I respond to commentary on
our party political position.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you, member for Albany. I call you to order for the second time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN :
There have been a number of things. There have been government decisions, which
I absolutely support in terms of the processes of cabinet and the processes of
forming up the state budget. The budget certainly has been a challenge and
those are issues that, as a cabinet minister, it is appropriate we support and
take up the challenge of ensuring that the state's finances are sound
going forward. There are a number of issues from time to time that come from
the budget and local members are entitled to take up those issues. I know that
the member for Central Wheatbelt has taken up views about how we might land a
solution that deals with the transport challenges of people who live in those
particular regions.
In response to the member's question, I have
supported and do support —
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn!
Mr D.T. REDMAN : I
support the state government process. I have not made any public statements at
all, if that is what the member is referring to. But the member for Central
Wheatbelt has taken up on behalf of her constituency —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr D.T. REDMAN : I
am making the point —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah! Member for Collie–Preston!
Mr M.P. Murray :
Does the Leader of the National Party want me to cut him off and save his soul
a bit and ask a supplementary question?
Mr D.T. Redman :
Yes, go for it!
The member has asked a question about AvonLink ,
which comes under the portfolio of the Minister for Transport. As the Leader of
the National Party, however, it is appropriate that I respond to commentary on
our party political position.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you, member for Albany. I call you to order for the second time.
Mr D.T. REDMAN :
There have been a number of things. There have been government decisions, which
I absolutely support in terms of the processes of cabinet and the processes of
forming up the state budget. The budget certainly has been a challenge and
those are issues that, as a cabinet minister, it is appropriate we support and
take up the challenge of ensuring that the state's finances are sound
going forward. There are a number of issues from time to time that come from
the budget and local members are entitled to take up those issues. I know that
the member for Central Wheatbelt has taken up views about how we might land a
solution that deals with the transport challenges of people who live in those
particular regions.
In response to the member's question, I have
supported and do support —
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn!
Mr D.T. REDMAN : I
support the state government process. I have not made any public statements at
all, if that is what the member is referring to. But the member for Central
Wheatbelt has taken up on behalf of her constituency —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr D.T. REDMAN : I
am making the point —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah! Member for Collie–Preston!
Mr M.P. Murray :
Does the Leader of the National Party want me to cut him off and save his soul
a bit and ask a supplementary question?
Mr D.T. Redman :
Yes, go for it!
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