❓ Opposition Leader Barnett questions the value of the Police Royal Commission, citing its cost, lack of prosecutions, and reliance on the NSW Wood Royal Commission. Premier Gallop defends the commission, criticizes the Liberal party's response, and affirms its importance.
AnsweredQoN 15Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to the report of the police royal commission, which he claimed was established to provide recommendations on the future of the Police Service and to root out any corrupt police officers. (1) Is the Premier aware that the report states that the precise reforms required will need to be determined by the Western Australia Police Service? (2) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that, despite the evidence presented, it is unlikely that there will be many successful prosecutions? (3) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that changes to the WA Police Service should be based on the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? (4) Does the Premier still consider the police royal commission value for money at a cost of $28 million of taxpayer funds when it is unable to deliver any real recommendations and very few, if any, prosecutions, and simply echoes the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(1) Is the Premier aware that the report states that the precise reforms required will need to be determined by the Western Australia Police Service? (2) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that, despite the evidence presented, it is unlikely that there will be many successful prosecutions? (3) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that changes to the WA Police Service should be based on the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? (4) Does the Premier still consider the police royal commission value for money at a cost of $28 million of taxpayer funds when it is unable to deliver any real recommendations and very few, if any, prosecutions, and simply echoes the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(2) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that, despite the evidence presented, it is unlikely that there will be many successful prosecutions? (3) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that changes to the WA Police Service should be based on the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? (4) Does the Premier still consider the police royal commission value for money at a cost of $28 million of taxpayer funds when it is unable to deliver any real recommendations and very few, if any, prosecutions, and simply echoes the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(3) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that changes to the WA Police Service should be based on the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? (4) Does the Premier still consider the police royal commission value for money at a cost of $28 million of taxpayer funds when it is unable to deliver any real recommendations and very few, if any, prosecutions, and simply echoes the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(4) Does the Premier still consider the police royal commission value for money at a cost of $28 million of taxpayer funds when it is unable to deliver any real recommendations and very few, if any, prosecutions, and simply echoes the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(1) Is the Premier aware that the report states that the precise reforms required will need to be determined by the Western Australia Police Service? (2) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that, despite the evidence presented, it is unlikely that there will be many successful prosecutions? (3) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that changes to the WA Police Service should be based on the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? (4) Does the Premier still consider the police royal commission value for money at a cost of $28 million of taxpayer funds when it is unable to deliver any real recommendations and very few, if any, prosecutions, and simply echoes the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(2) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that, despite the evidence presented, it is unlikely that there will be many successful prosecutions? (3) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that changes to the WA Police Service should be based on the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? (4) Does the Premier still consider the police royal commission value for money at a cost of $28 million of taxpayer funds when it is unable to deliver any real recommendations and very few, if any, prosecutions, and simply echoes the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(3) Is the Premier also aware that the report states that changes to the WA Police Service should be based on the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? (4) Does the Premier still consider the police royal commission value for money at a cost of $28 million of taxpayer funds when it is unable to deliver any real recommendations and very few, if any, prosecutions, and simply echoes the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(4) Does the Premier still consider the police royal commission value for money at a cost of $28 million of taxpayer funds when it is unable to deliver any real recommendations and very few, if any, prosecutions, and simply echoes the recommendations of the New South Wales Wood royal commission? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
(1)-(4) I find that question quite extraordinary. It could only come from somebody who has not read the royal commission report. Back in 1996 it was clear to everyone in this place, except the Liberals, that a royal commission was needed. A Legislative Council committee report made it clear that a royal commission was needed. However, the then Government swept the issue under the carpet. The Labor Government agreed that this State would have a royal commission. It established one in 2001, and it has reported. Everyone in this Parliament should agree that Geoffrey Kennedy was an excellent choice of commissioner. The conclusions that he has reached about the Police Service in Western Australia hit me like a sledgehammer, and they deserve an enthusiastic and vigorous response. However, here we go again with the Liberals. They are not acknowledging a major issue in our community that needs to be addressed. I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
I will answer the Leader of the Opposition’s questions about whether I am aware of what the royal commission has said: yes, yes, yes. He asked whether I still believe that this is a most important royal commission report. The answer is yes. One thing about this report has now become very obvious. One group of people have not learnt any lessons at all, and they are called Liberals. I do not know what it is about Western Australian Liberals, but they do not seem to get the message about these major issues. Their first response is to try to cover up something, sweep it under the carpet or pretend that it does not exist. The people of Western Australia now have a Labor Government. It is serious about its responsibilities, and it will do something about the matter.
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