❓ Question on Notice regarding the Town of Vincent's decision to change the mayoral election process, alleging political interference by Labor Party operatives. The Minister's response avoids direct answers, criticizes the previous government's legislation, and accuses the questioner of false propositions.
AnsweredQoN 1473Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TOWN OF VINCENT, ELECTION OF MAYOR
I refer to the recent decision by the Town of Vincent to conduct the election of mayor by the councillors rather than by popular vote. (1) Is the minister aware that the member for Perth has been instrumental in ensuring that outcome? (2) Is the minister aware that the motion to this effect was moved, without notice, by Deputy Mayor David Drewett, who just happens to be John Hyde’s election campaign manager? (3) Is the minister aware that the motion was seconded by Councillor Marylin Piper, who works for the federal Labor member for Perth, Stephen Smith - who has a family member employed by John Hyde? (4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS
I refer to the recent decision by the Town of Vincent to conduct the election of mayor by the councillors rather than by popular vote. (1) Is the minister aware that the member for Perth has been instrumental in ensuring that outcome? (2) Is the minister aware that the motion to this effect was moved, without notice, by Deputy Mayor David Drewett, who just happens to be John Hyde’s election campaign manager? (3) Is the minister aware that the motion was seconded by Councillor Marylin Piper, who works for the federal Labor member for Perth, Stephen Smith - who has a family member employed by John Hyde? (4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(1) Is the minister aware that the member for Perth has been instrumental in ensuring that outcome? (2) Is the minister aware that the motion to this effect was moved, without notice, by Deputy Mayor David Drewett, who just happens to be John Hyde’s election campaign manager? (3) Is the minister aware that the motion was seconded by Councillor Marylin Piper, who works for the federal Labor member for Perth, Stephen Smith - who has a family member employed by John Hyde? (4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(2) Is the minister aware that the motion to this effect was moved, without notice, by Deputy Mayor David Drewett, who just happens to be John Hyde’s election campaign manager? (3) Is the minister aware that the motion was seconded by Councillor Marylin Piper, who works for the federal Labor member for Perth, Stephen Smith - who has a family member employed by John Hyde? (4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(3) Is the minister aware that the motion was seconded by Councillor Marylin Piper, who works for the federal Labor member for Perth, Stephen Smith - who has a family member employed by John Hyde? (4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(1) Is the minister aware that the member for Perth has been instrumental in ensuring that outcome? (2) Is the minister aware that the motion to this effect was moved, without notice, by Deputy Mayor David Drewett, who just happens to be John Hyde’s election campaign manager? (3) Is the minister aware that the motion was seconded by Councillor Marylin Piper, who works for the federal Labor member for Perth, Stephen Smith - who has a family member employed by John Hyde? (4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(2) Is the minister aware that the motion to this effect was moved, without notice, by Deputy Mayor David Drewett, who just happens to be John Hyde’s election campaign manager? (3) Is the minister aware that the motion was seconded by Councillor Marylin Piper, who works for the federal Labor member for Perth, Stephen Smith - who has a family member employed by John Hyde? (4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(3) Is the minister aware that the motion was seconded by Councillor Marylin Piper, who works for the federal Labor member for Perth, Stephen Smith - who has a family member employed by John Hyde? (4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(4) Is the minister aware of the existence of a local government campaign fund operated by John Hyde and formerly by the late Jack Marks? (5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(5) Does the minister condone such extensive involvement and political interference in a local council by a small group of Labor Party political operatives? (6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(6) Does the minister support the apparent disenfranchisement of the ratepayers and voters of the Town of Vincent by a Labor clique? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
(1)-(6) It reminds me - The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
The PRESIDENT: Order! Members should take some time to calm themselves and listen to the answer. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: - of the gathering of old-time councillors who, on the election of someone from the Labor Party to local government, said, “How dare they introduce party politics into local government! In the old days we were all Liberals.” It might offend some members of the Liberal Party that occasionally the Labor Party might have a role in local government. Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Ray Halligan: So the answer to all those questions is yes. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Ray Halligan: Answer the questions then. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I do not know why the member has bothered to ask the questions if he thinks he knows the answers. Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Peter Foss: You never answer questions. Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Ray Halligan: Your silence will be interpreted in a particular way. You have the opportunity to answer yes or no. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Local authorities operate under the Local Government Act, which was introduced by the previous Government. Rather than asking questions such as this - Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Ray Halligan: It is my right. Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: - he might ask himself whether the Act is deficient. The answer is yes. No-one would have imagined that ratepayers across this State could have their right to elect their mayor suddenly removed without consultation. No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
No-one would have thought that that was possible, but apparently it is. The former Government produced that Act. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
The PRESIDENT: Order members! This is becoming a general debate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Act is being reviewed. I expect that the review will provide an opportunity to examine that section of the Act, because it does not appear to be appropriate. I note that, particularly from my observations of the Liberal Party, from time to time people within organisations cannot get along with one another and regularly cannot stand each other. For instance, sometimes it seems like the city of Melville - Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon Simon O’Brien: Like Caucus. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, Caucus is a very happy organisation. Sometimes it seems that, just as the Liberal Party organisation could occasionally do with some mediation - Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
The PRESIDENT: Order members! We are beginning to sound like the Assembly. Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: From time to time in local government mediation between warring parties could be useful. I refer to places like Melville and Joondalup. By and large, they are places that were dominated too often by the coalition parties. Occasionally, some local governments could be given some assistance to ensure that the public blues do not affect the good government of the local municipality. It may well be that the problems in Melville and Joondalup were disputes between Liberal councillors. Point of Order Hon NORMAN MOORE: Is there any prospect of the minister answering the question about the Town of Vincent? It has nothing to do with Melville, Joondalup or the rest of the State. THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
THE PRESIDENT: I was looking forward to the minister bringing his remarks to a conclusion. Questions without Notice Resumed Hon TOM STEPHENS: It appears that Hon Ray Halligan has disguised a series of false propositions in his question. Knowing that some of the propositions appear to be false, it may well be that they are all false. I have been in Parliament long enough to know that I will not enter the sewer that the member opposite occupies with his false propositions and allegations. If I went down that path, I would get myself into a lot of trouble.
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