❓ Question on Notice regarding the introduction of a sex offender register in WA and how it will protect children. The Minister uses a personal story to highlight the need for the legislation and challenges the opposition's stance.
AnsweredQoN 785Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SEX OFFENDER REGISTER
In regard to the government’s plans to introduce a sex offender register in an attempt to protect Western Australian children, can the minister outline to the house how this legislation will help parents keep their children safe? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
In regard to the government’s plans to introduce a sex offender register in an attempt to protect Western Australian children, can the minister outline to the house how this legislation will help parents keep their children safe? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question and indeed for his very deep commitment to the protection of children in our society. When this government made the commitment for a public sex offender register in 2008, several members of the community came forward with their personal stories and why they believed that WA needed such a register. One woman’s story struck a particular chord in me and really epitomised the value and need for such legislation. The single mother called Paula—not her real name—publicly shared her personal experience about unknowingly inviting a paedophile into her life as well as into her children’s lives. For more than 12 months, Paula lived with a convicted paedophile but found out only when the relationship was over. In her own words this is how Paula described her situation — You meet someone and start seeing them. You invite them into your home and encourage your children to welcome you and your partner into their lives, not knowing they are a paedophile. After the relationship ended, the Department for Child Protection contacted Paula and started asking her questions about her ex-partner, and wanted to interview one of her children. Paula then discovered that her former partner had spent time in prison after sexually assaulting a child. She said — I was angry. I felt betrayed and hurt, but mostly, I felt guilty. I wasn’t aware of the abuse. I didn’t know his history. It’s not as if a paedophile is going to be upfront. Women need to have a choice. Not knowing if someone is a paedophile or not is putting families at risk. We have children and these people are hurting them. But we are not told. I would like to throw out a question to the opposition and ask: is it unreasonable for a single parent like Paula to find out whether their new partner is a convicted child sex offender before allowing access to their children? Mr M. McGowan : Just answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for the question and indeed for his very deep commitment to the protection of children in our society. When this government made the commitment for a public sex offender register in 2008, several members of the community came forward with their personal stories and why they believed that WA needed such a register. One woman’s story struck a particular chord in me and really epitomised the value and need for such legislation. The single mother called Paula—not her real name—publicly shared her personal experience about unknowingly inviting a paedophile into her life as well as into her children’s lives. For more than 12 months, Paula lived with a convicted paedophile but found out only when the relationship was over. In her own words this is how Paula described her situation — You meet someone and start seeing them. You invite them into your home and encourage your children to welcome you and your partner into their lives, not knowing they are a paedophile. After the relationship ended, the Department for Child Protection contacted Paula and started asking her questions about her ex-partner, and wanted to interview one of her children. Paula then discovered that her former partner had spent time in prison after sexually assaulting a child. She said — I was angry. I felt betrayed and hurt, but mostly, I felt guilty. I wasn’t aware of the abuse. I didn’t know his history. It’s not as if a paedophile is going to be upfront. Women need to have a choice. Not knowing if someone is a paedophile or not is putting families at risk. We have children and these people are hurting them. But we are not told. I would like to throw out a question to the opposition and ask: is it unreasonable for a single parent like Paula to find out whether their new partner is a convicted child sex offender before allowing access to their children? Mr M. McGowan : Just answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
I thank the member for the question and indeed for his very deep commitment to the protection of children in our society. When this government made the commitment for a public sex offender register in 2008, several members of the community came forward with their personal stories and why they believed that WA needed such a register. One woman’s story struck a particular chord in me and really epitomised the value and need for such legislation. The single mother called Paula—not her real name—publicly shared her personal experience about unknowingly inviting a paedophile into her life as well as into her children’s lives. For more than 12 months, Paula lived with a convicted paedophile but found out only when the relationship was over. In her own words this is how Paula described her situation — You meet someone and start seeing them. You invite them into your home and encourage your children to welcome you and your partner into their lives, not knowing they are a paedophile. After the relationship ended, the Department for Child Protection contacted Paula and started asking her questions about her ex-partner, and wanted to interview one of her children. Paula then discovered that her former partner had spent time in prison after sexually assaulting a child. She said — I was angry. I felt betrayed and hurt, but mostly, I felt guilty. I wasn’t aware of the abuse. I didn’t know his history. It’s not as if a paedophile is going to be upfront. Women need to have a choice. Not knowing if someone is a paedophile or not is putting families at risk. We have children and these people are hurting them. But we are not told. I would like to throw out a question to the opposition and ask: is it unreasonable for a single parent like Paula to find out whether their new partner is a convicted child sex offender before allowing access to their children? Mr M. McGowan : Just answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
When this government made the commitment for a public sex offender register in 2008, several members of the community came forward with their personal stories and why they believed that WA needed such a register. One woman’s story struck a particular chord in me and really epitomised the value and need for such legislation. The single mother called Paula—not her real name—publicly shared her personal experience about unknowingly inviting a paedophile into her life as well as into her children’s lives. For more than 12 months, Paula lived with a convicted paedophile but found out only when the relationship was over. In her own words this is how Paula described her situation — You meet someone and start seeing them. You invite them into your home and encourage your children to welcome you and your partner into their lives, not knowing they are a paedophile. After the relationship ended, the Department for Child Protection contacted Paula and started asking her questions about her ex-partner, and wanted to interview one of her children. Paula then discovered that her former partner had spent time in prison after sexually assaulting a child. She said — I was angry. I felt betrayed and hurt, but mostly, I felt guilty. I wasn’t aware of the abuse. I didn’t know his history. It’s not as if a paedophile is going to be upfront. Women need to have a choice. Not knowing if someone is a paedophile or not is putting families at risk. We have children and these people are hurting them. But we are not told. I would like to throw out a question to the opposition and ask: is it unreasonable for a single parent like Paula to find out whether their new partner is a convicted child sex offender before allowing access to their children? Mr M. McGowan : Just answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr M. McGowan : Just answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for the question and indeed for his very deep commitment to the protection of children in our society. When this government made the commitment for a public sex offender register in 2008, several members of the community came forward with their personal stories and why they believed that WA needed such a register. One woman’s story struck a particular chord in me and really epitomised the value and need for such legislation. The single mother called Paula—not her real name—publicly shared her personal experience about unknowingly inviting a paedophile into her life as well as into her children’s lives. For more than 12 months, Paula lived with a convicted paedophile but found out only when the relationship was over. In her own words this is how Paula described her situation — You meet someone and start seeing them. You invite them into your home and encourage your children to welcome you and your partner into their lives, not knowing they are a paedophile. After the relationship ended, the Department for Child Protection contacted Paula and started asking her questions about her ex-partner, and wanted to interview one of her children. Paula then discovered that her former partner had spent time in prison after sexually assaulting a child. She said — I was angry. I felt betrayed and hurt, but mostly, I felt guilty. I wasn’t aware of the abuse. I didn’t know his history. It’s not as if a paedophile is going to be upfront. Women need to have a choice. Not knowing if someone is a paedophile or not is putting families at risk. We have children and these people are hurting them. But we are not told. I would like to throw out a question to the opposition and ask: is it unreasonable for a single parent like Paula to find out whether their new partner is a convicted child sex offender before allowing access to their children? Mr M. McGowan : Just answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
I thank the member for the question and indeed for his very deep commitment to the protection of children in our society. When this government made the commitment for a public sex offender register in 2008, several members of the community came forward with their personal stories and why they believed that WA needed such a register. One woman’s story struck a particular chord in me and really epitomised the value and need for such legislation. The single mother called Paula—not her real name—publicly shared her personal experience about unknowingly inviting a paedophile into her life as well as into her children’s lives. For more than 12 months, Paula lived with a convicted paedophile but found out only when the relationship was over. In her own words this is how Paula described her situation — You meet someone and start seeing them. You invite them into your home and encourage your children to welcome you and your partner into their lives, not knowing they are a paedophile. After the relationship ended, the Department for Child Protection contacted Paula and started asking her questions about her ex-partner, and wanted to interview one of her children. Paula then discovered that her former partner had spent time in prison after sexually assaulting a child. She said — I was angry. I felt betrayed and hurt, but mostly, I felt guilty. I wasn’t aware of the abuse. I didn’t know his history. It’s not as if a paedophile is going to be upfront. Women need to have a choice. Not knowing if someone is a paedophile or not is putting families at risk. We have children and these people are hurting them. But we are not told. I would like to throw out a question to the opposition and ask: is it unreasonable for a single parent like Paula to find out whether their new partner is a convicted child sex offender before allowing access to their children? Mr M. McGowan : Just answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
When this government made the commitment for a public sex offender register in 2008, several members of the community came forward with their personal stories and why they believed that WA needed such a register. One woman’s story struck a particular chord in me and really epitomised the value and need for such legislation. The single mother called Paula—not her real name—publicly shared her personal experience about unknowingly inviting a paedophile into her life as well as into her children’s lives. For more than 12 months, Paula lived with a convicted paedophile but found out only when the relationship was over. In her own words this is how Paula described her situation — You meet someone and start seeing them. You invite them into your home and encourage your children to welcome you and your partner into their lives, not knowing they are a paedophile. After the relationship ended, the Department for Child Protection contacted Paula and started asking her questions about her ex-partner, and wanted to interview one of her children. Paula then discovered that her former partner had spent time in prison after sexually assaulting a child. She said — I was angry. I felt betrayed and hurt, but mostly, I felt guilty. I wasn’t aware of the abuse. I didn’t know his history. It’s not as if a paedophile is going to be upfront. Women need to have a choice. Not knowing if someone is a paedophile or not is putting families at risk. We have children and these people are hurting them. But we are not told. I would like to throw out a question to the opposition and ask: is it unreasonable for a single parent like Paula to find out whether their new partner is a convicted child sex offender before allowing access to their children? Mr M. McGowan : Just answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr M. McGowan : Just answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I particularly ask the member for Mandurah this question, as Paula is one of his constituents: where does he stand on this issue? I am pretty sure that he actually supports the legislation. Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr M. McGowan : This is a misuse of question time. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Rockingham does not like it. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll answer it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. I am going to give the opportunity perhaps also to the member for Mandurah, if he wishes to return to his seat in this place. I provide you with that opportunity, member for Mandurah. I know that your business in here takes you around the place; I observe that. If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to answer that question provided, I will enable that. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I mentioned the member for Mandurah because I think he would actually support the legislation—I truly do. But I have to say that I found it interesting to hear the member for Girrawheen on talkback radio on Monday morning claiming that there are a number of mechanisms whereby a mother can access information about sex offenders. I wonder whether the member can enlighten the house sometime how this is possible under current laws. I wonder whether she would be prepared to do that and explain it to the media and the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Let me answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I will ask the Leader of the Opposition a question in a minute. I will come to him in a minute. Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : She can ask the person to produce a working with children card. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : That has nothing to do with the laws that we bring in. What a stupid response! Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr C.J. Barnett : So, a woman is going to ask her partner for a working with children card! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Exactly. Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Hundreds of thousands of people have that. People who volunteer at football clubs have to have those things. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, we know that. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Minister for Police, if you want to answer this question, I am going to ask that you answer this question. If you want to engage members of the opposition in endeavouring to answer other questions, then there is nothing to prevent you from doing that, but I do not know that you are going to expect different behaviour in this place if that is what you are intending to do. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, let me just say this: there is no way under current laws that that mother could find out about whether or not her new partner was a sex offender. The only way Paula found out about her ex-partner’s convictions for child molestation was when DCP interviewed her children to determine whether they had been sexually abused by him. By then it was too late. While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
While we are on the subject of the member for Girrawheen, let us go back to September last year when she told The West Australian newspaper that she was very strongly against a public sex offender register. This is despite knowing nothing about the form the register would take. Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr M. McGowan : This is bizarre! It’s not even on the subject. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Yes, it is. Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Fast-forward a year to October 2011—that is, last month—and the member for Girrawheen softened her stance in calling for a debate on the sex offender register to be brought forward and admitted that existing laws are constrained. This statement would have given the perception that the member for Girrawheen actually had an open mind about considering these laws. However, whatever her thoughts were last month, they did not last long because she was out in the media on Sunday to reaffirm Labor’s opposition to the proposed laws, despite not even reading them. The member for Mindarie was also — Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr P. Papalia : Are you incapable of speaking without reading? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member for Warnbro is just incapable. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I am going to formally call you to order for the first time today. I am also going to reflect on the fact that a member who is not present in this place is being referred to. Minister, it is your choice. I am simply going to request once again that you return to the basic question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I do not canvass your ruling but I believe that I am answering the question that the member for Mount Lawley asked. Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Members, yesterday was not very special in this place and it was not helped by continuing interjections. Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the second time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I was going to ask the Leader of the Opposition a question, but I am not going to. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You’ve been told by the Premier not to ask it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Don’t ask the leader to explain what the opposition’s position is! Don’t get that on the record! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : What I would like to know at some stage is where the Leader of the Opposition stands on this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ve got a question for you. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : There are more things I can say but I have to say this: I know that some of the backbenchers on the opposite side of this house do support this legislation, so I would be very interested to see how they go. It would show some leadership by the Leader of the Opposition as to how he directs those matters. Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I’ll show you leadership, don’t you worry about it. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure the Leader of the Opposition will, for a change. Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Let me say one thing; those backbenchers would be well aware of the sentiments indeed — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Minister for Health! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : A poll run by The Sunday Times showed that 80 per cent of people support this legislation and in a separate — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I formally call you to order for the third time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We are bringing in laws that the people want and that the people have asked for. In a separate poll run by WIN Television, 93 per cent of the people responded that they support this legislation. That is a hell of a lot. We take it very seriously that we represent the views of our constituents and their wishes and concerns. That is what we have done as a government. I wonder what the opposition will do when it comes to oppose this. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You have been told by the Premier not to ask the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have asked the Leader of the Opposition where he stands on this. He has been very quiet up to now. The Leader of the Opposition has not said a word; he has let his two law-and-order people talk about things. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Minister for Police, I formally call you to order for the first time today. I have given the call to the member for Rockingham.
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