A parliamentary question probes the Premier's awareness of backbencher influence on cabinet and potential influence of external figures on backbenchers. The Premier dismisses the premise, asserting the government operates on due process and the common good.

AnsweredQoN 628Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 April 2003
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

I ask a supplementary question. Is the Premier aware that his backbenchers do in fact have an influence on his cabinet members? If so, is the Premier further concerned that Mr Burke and Mr Grill may have an influence on his backbenchers? Dr G.I. GALLOP

AnswerView source ↗

We have heard some good questions from the member for Kalgoorlie over the years. Sometimes the member for Kalgoorlie puts on the legal garb and takes on the role of a Queen’s Counsel in this Parliament. Today the member for Kalgoorlie has put on an academic gown and is a professor of sociology: he influences them and they influence them and they go up and they influence them. The member for Kalgoorlie’s sociological analysis of the way my Government works does not accord with the reality. We work according to two principles. The first is proper due process, and the second is the pursuit of the common good for the people of Western Australia. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: We have heard some good questions from the member for Kalgoorlie over the years. Sometimes the member for Kalgoorlie puts on the legal garb and takes on the role of a Queen’s Counsel in this Parliament. Today the member for Kalgoorlie has put on an academic gown and is a professor of sociology: he influences them and they influence them and they go up and they influence them. The member for Kalgoorlie’s sociological analysis of the way my Government works does not accord with the reality. We work according to two principles. The first is proper due process, and the second is the pursuit of the common good for the people of Western Australia. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time.
We have heard some good questions from the member for Kalgoorlie over the years. Sometimes the member for Kalgoorlie puts on the legal garb and takes on the role of a Queen’s Counsel in this Parliament. Today the member for Kalgoorlie has put on an academic gown and is a professor of sociology: he influences them and they influence them and they go up and they influence them. The member for Kalgoorlie’s sociological analysis of the way my Government works does not accord with the reality. We work according to two principles. The first is proper due process, and the second is the pursuit of the common good for the people of Western Australia. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time.

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