A parliamentary question regarding the Police Minister's actions on illegal brothels, referencing a prior statement and questioning the lack of enforcement. The Minister's response deflects, citing the Attorney General's upcoming legislation and actions taken upon receiving complaints.

AnsweredQoN 506Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 September 2010
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

BROTHELS — LAW ENFORCEMENT
In relation to the legalisation of prostitution, in 2007 the now Minister for Police stated in this place — The problem is that we have a police minister, a Premier and a government that are so weak that they are not prepared to ensure that the laws of WA are enforced. Brothels are illegal. If I were police minister, I would instruct the Commissioner of Police to implement the law and close down those dirty little sleazy places. (1) What has the minister actually done about this issue in his two years as police minister? (2) Does the minister still hold the view that he held in 2007, or has he changed his mind? (3) In two years, what has the minister done to close down those “dirty little sleazy places”? (4) Why has the minister not insisted that existing laws on brothels be enforced? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(4) That was a great speech back in 2007—spoken with compassion and absolute conviction! Mr R.H. Cook : What does that make you now? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me tell members about now. It has been decided by our government that the Attorney General will deal with brothels. He is working on legislation that will deal with that. Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
(2) Does the minister still hold the view that he held in 2007, or has he changed his mind? (3) In two years, what has the minister done to close down those “dirty little sleazy places”? (4) Why has the minister not insisted that existing laws on brothels be enforced? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(4) That was a great speech back in 2007—spoken with compassion and absolute conviction! Mr R.H. Cook : What does that make you now? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me tell members about now. It has been decided by our government that the Attorney General will deal with brothels. He is working on legislation that will deal with that. Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
(3) In two years, what has the minister done to close down those “dirty little sleazy places”? (4) Why has the minister not insisted that existing laws on brothels be enforced? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(4) That was a great speech back in 2007—spoken with compassion and absolute conviction! Mr R.H. Cook : What does that make you now? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me tell members about now. It has been decided by our government that the Attorney General will deal with brothels. He is working on legislation that will deal with that. Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
(4) Why has the minister not insisted that existing laws on brothels be enforced? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(4) That was a great speech back in 2007—spoken with compassion and absolute conviction! Mr R.H. Cook : What does that make you now? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me tell members about now. It has been decided by our government that the Attorney General will deal with brothels. He is working on legislation that will deal with that. Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(4) That was a great speech back in 2007—spoken with compassion and absolute conviction! Mr R.H. Cook : What does that make you now? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me tell members about now. It has been decided by our government that the Attorney General will deal with brothels. He is working on legislation that will deal with that. Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(4) That was a great speech back in 2007—spoken with compassion and absolute conviction! Mr R.H. Cook : What does that make you now? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me tell members about now. It has been decided by our government that the Attorney General will deal with brothels. He is working on legislation that will deal with that. Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
(1)–(4) That was a great speech back in 2007—spoken with compassion and absolute conviction! Mr R.H. Cook : What does that make you now? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me tell members about now. It has been decided by our government that the Attorney General will deal with brothels. He is working on legislation that will deal with that. Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.H. Cook : What does that make you now? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me tell members about now. It has been decided by our government that the Attorney General will deal with brothels. He is working on legislation that will deal with that. Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me tell members about now. It has been decided by our government that the Attorney General will deal with brothels. He is working on legislation that will deal with that. Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am very happy to answer the question but it is a bit difficult when so many members opposite are interjecting. This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
This government—including the Attorney General and me—is very committed to trying to shut down, as much as possible, that dirty, sleazy trade that feeds on women and vulnerable young girls. We are very much committed to that. The Labor Party, under its legislation, was going to allow brothels to be opened in every suburban street—that is what it was going to do—unlicensed, unchecked and so on. That was the problem we faced when we came into government. That is why — Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : Two years later, same problem—you have done nothing! Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr E.S. Ripper : All talk, no action! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There has been a lot of action, I can assure members. Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Not on this issue. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, there has. Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr C.C. Porter : It took them eight years for no legislation! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. When any member or member of the public comes to me in relation to a complaint that premises are being used as a brothel, I contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police who deals with that situation. The police monitor the place. They stop vehicles coming and going to try to put them off. That has happened on a few occasions. Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr F.M. Logan : What about closing them down? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : They are closing them down simply by their actions, my friend! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Not many people turn up when there is a police car around the corner! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. That is the difference between members opposite and their moral standing in society and the members on this side of the house. We will not tolerate — Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That is why we did not proclaim the former government’s legislation. It was legislation that would have allowed brothels to open as a next-door neighbour on each side, without any licence and without any check. That is what it would have allowed to happen. It is very much along the lines of the opposition’s relaxation on drugs. We saw what it did with cannabis, we saw what it wanted to do with brothels — Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman : What are you doing? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We will not stand for that. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman : Nothing! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am certainly not going to them, I can assure the member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
The SPEAKER : The question might not be about doing nothing, member for Joondalup, but I am going to do something. I am going to formally call you for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will conclude. In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
In answer to the question, any complaint that comes to me as the Minister for Police, I immediately — Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Will there be a happy ending to this answer, minister? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There is always a happy ending with me, you know that! No, you don’t know that! Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us more! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Let me rephrase that comment—you would never know that! On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.
On this side of the house, we take very seriously the effect that brothels have on society. The activities that go on inside and outside brothels are to the detriment of our society. The Attorney General will be coming forward in the fairly near future with a bill that will deal with it in an adequate way. Once again, any complaint that members receive, send them to me and I will make sure that some action takes place.

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