❓ Opposition Leader Mark McGowan questions Premier Colin Barnett on whether he endorses the Member for Vasse's decision not to answer police questions regarding a serious criminal matter. The Premier defends the member's right to legal representation and avoids a direct endorsement.
AnsweredQoN 285Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MEMBER FOR
VASSE — ROAD TRAFFIC INCIDENT
285. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Does the Premier endorse the member for Vasse not answering questions from the
police about a serious criminal matter?
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : Yes or no?
VASSE — ROAD TRAFFIC INCIDENT
285. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Does the Premier endorse the member for Vasse not answering questions from the
police about a serious criminal matter?
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : Yes or no?
AnswerView source ↗
I will answer it how I wish to
answer it. The member for Vasse, as I understand it, chose to be represented by
his lawyer. He is entitled to do that.
Mr M. McGowan interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
This event—again, let me say that I do not in any way —
Mr R.H. Cook interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Kwinana, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
As I said before, I neither excuse nor condone in any respect what happened on
23 February, but I am not going to interfere in the process of the police. I am
not going to interfere in the process of insurers.
Mr M. McGowan : It's
about interfering with him. Should he have talked to the police?
The SPEAKER :
Leader of the Opposition!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The Leader of the Opposition can make his assertion about that. The member for
Vasse is entitled to do that, as is every other citizen. He is, however, a
member of Parliament and a high-profile public figure. My responsibility
related to his ministerial role and the use of government property. However, I
have not interfered, and I will not interfere, with investigations.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The member for Albany can mouth across the chamber ''weak bastard''
if he wishes to.
Mr P.B. Watson :
No; I didn't say that.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, he did. I will deal with the issue. Again, I say to the Leader of the
Opposition that if he has some information that I or the police do not have, by
all means, bring it forward.
answer it. The member for Vasse, as I understand it, chose to be represented by
his lawyer. He is entitled to do that.
Mr M. McGowan interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
This event—again, let me say that I do not in any way —
Mr R.H. Cook interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Kwinana, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
As I said before, I neither excuse nor condone in any respect what happened on
23 February, but I am not going to interfere in the process of the police. I am
not going to interfere in the process of insurers.
Mr M. McGowan : It's
about interfering with him. Should he have talked to the police?
The SPEAKER :
Leader of the Opposition!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The Leader of the Opposition can make his assertion about that. The member for
Vasse is entitled to do that, as is every other citizen. He is, however, a
member of Parliament and a high-profile public figure. My responsibility
related to his ministerial role and the use of government property. However, I
have not interfered, and I will not interfere, with investigations.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The member for Albany can mouth across the chamber ''weak bastard''
if he wishes to.
Mr P.B. Watson :
No; I didn't say that.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, he did. I will deal with the issue. Again, I say to the Leader of the
Opposition that if he has some information that I or the police do not have, by
all means, bring it forward.
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