Question regarding funding for the 'no' case in electoral reform legislation and the Solicitor General's role. Premier Gallop defends the Solicitor General's involvement and accuses the opposition of defending vested interests.

AnsweredQoN 747Legislative Assembly
Asked
11 March 2002
Member
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

ELECTORAL REFORM LEGISLATION, FUNDING FOR NO CASE
If, as the Premier said in his response to my question, the Clerk of the Legislative Council is arguing both the yes and the no cases, will the Premier instruct the Solicitor General not to present the Labor Party’s case? Dr GALLOP

AnswerView source ↗

The Solicitor General has a duty to go into this matter. Several opposition members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Okay, my friend, why was the Solicitor General armed with all his offsiders in the High Court when the Australian Labor Party put its case? My friend, the Parliament has discharged its duties quite appropriately. If the Opposition wants to pay for that case, it should use its own money. The Parliament has determined its position on this and has passed the legislation. The only barrier to an electoral system based upon equality of respect for all citizens are members of the National and Liberal Parties who are defending their vested interests. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER: Order! I indicate to the people in the gallery that although we welcome people in this place to watch what goes on, that is not an invitation to participate in the debate. Unfortunately, I will have to remove anyone who interrupts, so please desist from any comments.
Dr GALLOP replied: The Solicitor General has a duty to go into this matter. Several opposition members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Okay, my friend, why was the Solicitor General armed with all his offsiders in the High Court when the Australian Labor Party put its case? My friend, the Parliament has discharged its duties quite appropriately. If the Opposition wants to pay for that case, it should use its own money. The Parliament has determined its position on this and has passed the legislation. The only barrier to an electoral system based upon equality of respect for all citizens are members of the National and Liberal Parties who are defending their vested interests. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER: Order! I indicate to the people in the gallery that although we welcome people in this place to watch what goes on, that is not an invitation to participate in the debate. Unfortunately, I will have to remove anyone who interrupts, so please desist from any comments.
The Solicitor General has a duty to go into this matter. Several opposition members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Okay, my friend, why was the Solicitor General armed with all his offsiders in the High Court when the Australian Labor Party put its case? My friend, the Parliament has discharged its duties quite appropriately. If the Opposition wants to pay for that case, it should use its own money. The Parliament has determined its position on this and has passed the legislation. The only barrier to an electoral system based upon equality of respect for all citizens are members of the National and Liberal Parties who are defending their vested interests. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER: Order! I indicate to the people in the gallery that although we welcome people in this place to watch what goes on, that is not an invitation to participate in the debate. Unfortunately, I will have to remove anyone who interrupts, so please desist from any comments.
Several opposition members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Okay, my friend, why was the Solicitor General armed with all his offsiders in the High Court when the Australian Labor Party put its case? My friend, the Parliament has discharged its duties quite appropriately. If the Opposition wants to pay for that case, it should use its own money. The Parliament has determined its position on this and has passed the legislation. The only barrier to an electoral system based upon equality of respect for all citizens are members of the National and Liberal Parties who are defending their vested interests. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER: Order! I indicate to the people in the gallery that although we welcome people in this place to watch what goes on, that is not an invitation to participate in the debate. Unfortunately, I will have to remove anyone who interrupts, so please desist from any comments.
Dr GALLOP: Okay, my friend, why was the Solicitor General armed with all his offsiders in the High Court when the Australian Labor Party put its case? My friend, the Parliament has discharged its duties quite appropriately. If the Opposition wants to pay for that case, it should use its own money. The Parliament has determined its position on this and has passed the legislation. The only barrier to an electoral system based upon equality of respect for all citizens are members of the National and Liberal Parties who are defending their vested interests. [Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER: Order! I indicate to the people in the gallery that although we welcome people in this place to watch what goes on, that is not an invitation to participate in the debate. Unfortunately, I will have to remove anyone who interrupts, so please desist from any comments.
[Interruption from the gallery.] The SPEAKER: Order! I indicate to the people in the gallery that although we welcome people in this place to watch what goes on, that is not an invitation to participate in the debate. Unfortunately, I will have to remove anyone who interrupts, so please desist from any comments.
The SPEAKER: Order! I indicate to the people in the gallery that although we welcome people in this place to watch what goes on, that is not an invitation to participate in the debate. Unfortunately, I will have to remove anyone who interrupts, so please desist from any comments.

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