❓ Opposition questions Premier's authority to extend retail trading hours, citing prior policy and referendum results. Premier defends deregulation stance, criticizes previous government's handling of the issue, and claims broad consultation.
AnsweredQoN 620Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EXTENDED WEEKNIGHT RETAIL TRADING HOURS
I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took to the last election. Mr P. Papalia : What policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER : This policy here, but I agree it is not much of a policy. I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took the last election, which stated — The Liberals respect the decision of people at the referendum … For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement. (1) How can the Premier now say that he has support and authority from the people of Western Australia to extend trading hours when his own policy states that he will respect the referendum that saw Western Australians say no to extended weeknight trading hours? (2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took to the last election. Mr P. Papalia : What policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER : This policy here, but I agree it is not much of a policy. I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took the last election, which stated — The Liberals respect the decision of people at the referendum … For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement. (1) How can the Premier now say that he has support and authority from the people of Western Australia to extend trading hours when his own policy states that he will respect the referendum that saw Western Australians say no to extended weeknight trading hours? (2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr P. Papalia : What policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER : This policy here, but I agree it is not much of a policy. I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took the last election, which stated — The Liberals respect the decision of people at the referendum … For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement. (1) How can the Premier now say that he has support and authority from the people of Western Australia to extend trading hours when his own policy states that he will respect the referendum that saw Western Australians say no to extended weeknight trading hours? (2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : This policy here, but I agree it is not much of a policy. I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took the last election, which stated — The Liberals respect the decision of people at the referendum … For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement. (1) How can the Premier now say that he has support and authority from the people of Western Australia to extend trading hours when his own policy states that he will respect the referendum that saw Western Australians say no to extended weeknight trading hours? (2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took the last election, which stated — The Liberals respect the decision of people at the referendum … For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement. (1) How can the Premier now say that he has support and authority from the people of Western Australia to extend trading hours when his own policy states that he will respect the referendum that saw Western Australians say no to extended weeknight trading hours? (2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement.
(2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
(3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
(1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr P. Papalia : What policy? Mr E.S. RIPPER : This policy here, but I agree it is not much of a policy. I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took the last election, which stated — The Liberals respect the decision of people at the referendum … For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement. (1) How can the Premier now say that he has support and authority from the people of Western Australia to extend trading hours when his own policy states that he will respect the referendum that saw Western Australians say no to extended weeknight trading hours? (2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : This policy here, but I agree it is not much of a policy. I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took the last election, which stated — The Liberals respect the decision of people at the referendum … For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement. (1) How can the Premier now say that he has support and authority from the people of Western Australia to extend trading hours when his own policy states that he will respect the referendum that saw Western Australians say no to extended weeknight trading hours? (2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
I refer to the trading hours policy that the Premier took the last election, which stated — The Liberals respect the decision of people at the referendum … For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement. (1) How can the Premier now say that he has support and authority from the people of Western Australia to extend trading hours when his own policy states that he will respect the referendum that saw Western Australians say no to extended weeknight trading hours? (2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
For a further step in deregulation the Liberals would want a broad agreement.
(2) How does the Premier’s arbitrary decision to legislate for extended weeknight trading sit with his undertaking to seek a broad agreement before proceeding? (3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
(3) What has changed since 2003 and 2004 when the Premier personally opposed nine o’clock weeknight trading? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
(1)-(3) I have supported progressive deregulation for the past 25 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The SPEAKER : The Leader of the Opposition has asked a question; surely he does not need any assistance from other members on the same side of the chamber. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The former Premier, to his credit, publicly made the case for deregulation. I refer to some comments made by former Premier Alan Carpenter. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What about your comments? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I want to tell the opposition where it is coming from. The member is on her way to Canberra. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : In a newspaper article that appeared in The West Australian on 11 May, the former Premier referred to a conversation he had with a Malaysian government minister. The member for Willagee said that the government minister had said to him — … ‘One thing you can do for us in Perth is open the shops. I can’t shop. I come there and everything’s closed’,” Mr Carpenter said. “We need to change that.” He is right; we do. To his credit, he promoted that. The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The referendum was an interesting exercise. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The referendum was held because the then Premier, Dr Gallop, could not make up his mind on the issue. He showed no leadership and no direction. He held a referendum. Who designed the question for the referendum? It ended up with Greens (WA) members in the upper house designing the referendum question, which was “do you think extending trading hours would be a good thing for Western Australia?” They could not even work out how to ask a straight question, such as “do you want extended trading hours—yes or no?” It was a convoluted question. Who assisted the Labor Party and the Independent Grocers Alliance in that little exercise? None other than Messrs Burke and Grill. They were right in it up to their eyeballs. It was a compromise. What I say is what I mean; I respect the fact that people went out and voted. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Member for Albany, I call you formally for the second time. Member for Warnbro, I call you formally for the second time also. Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : During the last election campaign, when asked a question on this issue before the Labor Party had spoken on it, I made the point, as I said earlier, that I would consult widely, and I have. Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr R.H. Cook : Who with—the CCI? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, I can give the names of 20 groups I met with. I consulted widely, including with unions, major retailers, the IGA and food producers from country areas. I consulted widely, and there was not universal agreement. The IGA said that it was not happy about it, but that it could basically go along with it as long as Sunday was left alone. That is where the IGA stood, and that is where it stands today. This is a contrived situation. Labor Party members should be ashamed of themselves for not being prepared to stand up for their constituents. They are denying their constituents’ right to choice. Look at the member for Victoria Park smiling! He likes to be one of the young professionals in the house. What is he going to say to people in Victoria Park—that they cannot go and shop? The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
The SPEAKER : Thirty minutes added on to eight is 38; this question time will finish at 22 minutes to three today. I formally call the member for Mandurah for the first time. I urge the Premier to conclude his comments. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Perth is out there promoting a free lifestyle in Perth. We are building a new theatre that Labor started, but people will not even be able to buy a Mars Bar on the way to the theatre, because the shops will be closed! It will be pathetic. We will have all these facilities—sunken railway, Perth Arena, Perth theatre and the waterfront development—and there will be a big sign reading “Closed”. We are about to head into the most exciting period of resource development in this state’s history; thousands of people from around the world will come here to see the sign, “Perth closed. It’s six o’clock; go home and tuck yourself in bed. You are not allowed to live.” For goodness sake, the Leader of the Opposition should show a little leadership, go back to his caucus and come back with a proposal that his constituents, like mine, want.
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