❓ A member of parliament questions the Premier about the newly established lobbyists register, focusing on the lack of parliamentary debate, absence of specific penalties for breaches, and potential for government cover-ups. The Premier defends the process, citing public debate and disciplinary powers.
AnsweredQoN 57Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOBBYISTS REGISTER
I refer to the Premier’s announcement yesterday about the establishment of the much-vaunted lobbyists register. (1) Why was the Premier unwilling to bring his proposal to Parliament for public debate? (2) Why does the proposal not include any detail of penalties for ministers and/or public servants who breach the lobbyists code? (3) How can the public have any faith in the Premier’s latest ill-conceived idea when it leaves the door open for this government to cover up breaches of the code by its ministers? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to the Premier’s announcement yesterday about the establishment of the much-vaunted lobbyists register. (1) Why was the Premier unwilling to bring his proposal to Parliament for public debate? (2) Why does the proposal not include any detail of penalties for ministers and/or public servants who breach the lobbyists code? (3) How can the public have any faith in the Premier’s latest ill-conceived idea when it leaves the door open for this government to cover up breaches of the code by its ministers? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
(1) Why was the Premier unwilling to bring his proposal to Parliament for public debate? (2) Why does the proposal not include any detail of penalties for ministers and/or public servants who breach the lobbyists code? (3) How can the public have any faith in the Premier’s latest ill-conceived idea when it leaves the door open for this government to cover up breaches of the code by its ministers? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
(2) Why does the proposal not include any detail of penalties for ministers and/or public servants who breach the lobbyists code? (3) How can the public have any faith in the Premier’s latest ill-conceived idea when it leaves the door open for this government to cover up breaches of the code by its ministers? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
(3) How can the public have any faith in the Premier’s latest ill-conceived idea when it leaves the door open for this government to cover up breaches of the code by its ministers? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
(1) Why was the Premier unwilling to bring his proposal to Parliament for public debate? (2) Why does the proposal not include any detail of penalties for ministers and/or public servants who breach the lobbyists code? (3) How can the public have any faith in the Premier’s latest ill-conceived idea when it leaves the door open for this government to cover up breaches of the code by its ministers? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
(2) Why does the proposal not include any detail of penalties for ministers and/or public servants who breach the lobbyists code? (3) How can the public have any faith in the Premier’s latest ill-conceived idea when it leaves the door open for this government to cover up breaches of the code by its ministers? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
(3) How can the public have any faith in the Premier’s latest ill-conceived idea when it leaves the door open for this government to cover up breaches of the code by its ministers? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for the question. Did the member say that there was no opportunity for public debate? Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr M.J. Cowper : My question was: why didn’t you bring your proposal to Parliament for public debate? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I made the announcement about the register and outlined the basic thrust of it on something like 16 November. There has been quite a little bit of public debate ever since. Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Not in here, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The Leader of the Opposition says, “Not in here, Premier.” The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
The member should not confuse the proceedings that take place in the Parliament for the totality of public debate. There has been plenty of public debate and there can be a lot more public debate. With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
With reference to the provision of penalties, the Premier of the day, whoever that lucky person will be, will have the capacity to discipline ministers and members of ministerial staff who are deemed to be in breach of the code. I thought it would be obvious what some of those penalties might be. Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr C.J. Barnett : What is the penalty? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It will depend on the nature of the breach. I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
I assume that if it was a Premier of the opposition’s predilection, there would be no penalty; there would be encouragement. Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Where is the detail? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I tabled the document yesterday and that is the detail. One thing we in government have learned is that we have probably the laziest opposition in history. They do absolutely no work. Unless it is written in The West Australian , they do not know it has happened and, even then, it is probably only a stab that it might have happened. They do not do any research whatsoever. They should get the document and read it and then they will understand the answers to the question. With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
With reference to the public sector, the head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet will oversee the activities of people in government. For example, yesterday I was asked why the document does not apply to backbench members of Parliament. I was asked a similar question on my way into the house today. Does the Leader of the Opposition understand the document of separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Yes. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : He does. Will he give a quick run down of his understanding of the separation of powers? Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Tell us what the penalties are. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Is the Leader of the Opposition in the same unfortunate circumstance as Joe Bjelke-Peterson and Russell Cooper from Queensland when they were asked about the doctrine of the separation of powers? Backbench members of Parliament are not the legislature and therefore are not part of the executive government. This applies to the executive arm of government.
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