❓ A parliamentary question probes the minister's alleged influence by Julian Grill regarding Wally Cox's part-time EPA role. The minister denies any involvement and defends the decision as beneficial for continuity.
AnsweredQoN 37Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WALLY COX - JULIAN GRILL
Given the evidence that Julian Grill gave to the Corruption and Crime Commission that the minister was on his team - (1) What role did Julian Grill play in the minister’s decision to accommodate the request made by Mr Wally Cox, the head of the Environmental Protection Authority, to move into a part-time position? (2) What were the minister’s reasons for acceding to Mr Grill’s request on behalf of Mr Cox? (3) When Mr Cox and Mr Grill indicated that strings had been pulled, which of the minister’s strings did they pull? Mr M. McGOWAN
Given the evidence that Julian Grill gave to the Corruption and Crime Commission that the minister was on his team - (1) What role did Julian Grill play in the minister’s decision to accommodate the request made by Mr Wally Cox, the head of the Environmental Protection Authority, to move into a part-time position? (2) What were the minister’s reasons for acceding to Mr Grill’s request on behalf of Mr Cox? (3) When Mr Cox and Mr Grill indicated that strings had been pulled, which of the minister’s strings did they pull? Mr M. McGOWAN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
(1) What role did Julian Grill play in the minister’s decision to accommodate the request made by Mr Wally Cox, the head of the Environmental Protection Authority, to move into a part-time position? (2) What were the minister’s reasons for acceding to Mr Grill’s request on behalf of Mr Cox? (3) When Mr Cox and Mr Grill indicated that strings had been pulled, which of the minister’s strings did they pull? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
(2) What were the minister’s reasons for acceding to Mr Grill’s request on behalf of Mr Cox? (3) When Mr Cox and Mr Grill indicated that strings had been pulled, which of the minister’s strings did they pull? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
(3) When Mr Cox and Mr Grill indicated that strings had been pulled, which of the minister’s strings did they pull? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
(1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
(1) What role did Julian Grill play in the minister’s decision to accommodate the request made by Mr Wally Cox, the head of the Environmental Protection Authority, to move into a part-time position? (2) What were the minister’s reasons for acceding to Mr Grill’s request on behalf of Mr Cox? (3) When Mr Cox and Mr Grill indicated that strings had been pulled, which of the minister’s strings did they pull? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
(2) What were the minister’s reasons for acceding to Mr Grill’s request on behalf of Mr Cox? (3) When Mr Cox and Mr Grill indicated that strings had been pulled, which of the minister’s strings did they pull? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
(3) When Mr Cox and Mr Grill indicated that strings had been pulled, which of the minister’s strings did they pull? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
(1)-(3) That is a ridiculous question without any foundation in fact. Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr T. Buswell : It’s in the transcript! Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the bloke well known for getting into the back seat of a car with Noel Crichton-Browne. What did he have to do in that car to remain Deputy Leader of the Opposition? What was he doing in the back seat? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
The SPEAKER : I am sure the member for Vasse wanted to ask that question, but he did not. The member for Capel asked the question and he has a limited capacity to interject, but the member for Vasse does not. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a ludicrous and ridiculous question. I have quite a friendly relationship with the member for Capel and he could have come and asked me and I would have told him. I had no discussion with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to this matter. I am informed by my staff that none of them had any discussions. In fact, Mr Cox was a senior public servant under the previous government and was well respected by members opposite in those positions. When he advised me that he was looking to go to four days a week rather than five days a week, I looked at the role he played and recognised the fact that he was well respected by both the environment movement and the business community in Western Australia. I thought it was a good idea that we have some continuity in that position considering I was a new minister. They are the facts of the matter. I had no contact whatsoever with Mr Grill or Mr Burke in relation to that matter. That is the truth of the matter. Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr C.J. Barnett : He only wanted to work one day. Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Members opposite have no idea. He went to four days a week, and that is a fact.
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