❓ Question regarding the Minister's decision to delegate responsibility for the Millbank on Moore issue to the member for Riverton, probing potential conflicts of interest. The Minister's response details a perceived conflict due to prior contact with a Liberal Party donor and the advice received from the State Solicitor.
AnsweredQoN 21Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MILLBANK ON MOORE - DECISION BY MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE
I refer to page 580 of the Corruption and Crime Commission transcripts from 22 February 2007 and the testimony of the now disgraced member for Riverton and the reasons for the minister giving over her responsibility for the Gingin Millbank on Moore file. (1) Why did the minister clear the path for the member for Riverton to deal with Mr Lombardo’s Millbank on Moore issue: was it because the minister had a perceived conflict of interest or did the minister deliberately make herself absent to put herself at arm’s length? (2) What was the conflict of interest the minister had that was referred to by Mr Urquhart in the CCC hearings? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
I refer to page 580 of the Corruption and Crime Commission transcripts from 22 February 2007 and the testimony of the now disgraced member for Riverton and the reasons for the minister giving over her responsibility for the Gingin Millbank on Moore file. (1) Why did the minister clear the path for the member for Riverton to deal with Mr Lombardo’s Millbank on Moore issue: was it because the minister had a perceived conflict of interest or did the minister deliberately make herself absent to put herself at arm’s length? (2) What was the conflict of interest the minister had that was referred to by Mr Urquhart in the CCC hearings? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) How extraordinary. It is known in this chamber that the opposition raised a series of questions - I think it was last year - in which it alleged that I had a conflict of interest - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
(1) Why did the minister clear the path for the member for Riverton to deal with Mr Lombardo’s Millbank on Moore issue: was it because the minister had a perceived conflict of interest or did the minister deliberately make herself absent to put herself at arm’s length? (2) What was the conflict of interest the minister had that was referred to by Mr Urquhart in the CCC hearings? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) How extraordinary. It is known in this chamber that the opposition raised a series of questions - I think it was last year - in which it alleged that I had a conflict of interest - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
(2) What was the conflict of interest the minister had that was referred to by Mr Urquhart in the CCC hearings? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) How extraordinary. It is known in this chamber that the opposition raised a series of questions - I think it was last year - in which it alleged that I had a conflict of interest - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) How extraordinary. It is known in this chamber that the opposition raised a series of questions - I think it was last year - in which it alleged that I had a conflict of interest - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
(1)-(2) How extraordinary. It is known in this chamber that the opposition raised a series of questions - I think it was last year - in which it alleged that I had a conflict of interest - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
(1) Why did the minister clear the path for the member for Riverton to deal with Mr Lombardo’s Millbank on Moore issue: was it because the minister had a perceived conflict of interest or did the minister deliberately make herself absent to put herself at arm’s length? (2) What was the conflict of interest the minister had that was referred to by Mr Urquhart in the CCC hearings? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) How extraordinary. It is known in this chamber that the opposition raised a series of questions - I think it was last year - in which it alleged that I had a conflict of interest - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
(2) What was the conflict of interest the minister had that was referred to by Mr Urquhart in the CCC hearings? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) How extraordinary. It is known in this chamber that the opposition raised a series of questions - I think it was last year - in which it alleged that I had a conflict of interest - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) How extraordinary. It is known in this chamber that the opposition raised a series of questions - I think it was last year - in which it alleged that I had a conflict of interest - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
(1)-(2) How extraordinary. It is known in this chamber that the opposition raised a series of questions - I think it was last year - in which it alleged that I had a conflict of interest - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : Mr Speaker, may I have a bit of clear air or does the social X-ray want to continue? Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Mr C.J. Barnett : Everyone be quiet; let’s listen! The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
The SPEAKER : Including the member for Cottesloe! Member for Nedlands, please try to refrain from interjecting constantly. The member is on three calls to order. If she receives one more, she will leave this place. The situation is the same for the member for Vasse. I warn those members that my tolerance for their interjections is over. I say the same also to the member for Cottesloe. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition is attempting to call into question the probity of my conduct. Given that they have raised serious questions such as this, I have the right to give this answer fully and without interjection. It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
It was the opposition that first raised the issue relating to the Gingin town planning scheme. It was the opposition’s claim that, because of some prior contact I had had a couple of decades before with one Marcus Plunkett, I had a conflict of interest. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that I have a couple of questions - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The opposition raised this absolutely fanciful issue of a conflict of interest on behalf of one of the donors to the Liberal Party, Mr Marcus Plunkett. To ensure that there could be no question about the decision that was to be made, I immediately said that if that was the perception, I would stand aside from making a determination on that town planning scheme. As members can imagine, a number of different issues are covered by an entire town planning scheme. Therefore, we took advice from the State Solicitor on whether it was possible to sever the issue that related to Moore River and the land of Mr Plunkett, the Liberal Party donor, from the rest of the consideration of the town planning scheme and for me to make a decision on the rest of the town planning scheme, and to transfer the decision in relation to Moore River. The advice that came back was that it was not possible; the document had to be considered as a whole. For that reason, the matter went to the member for Riverton when he was acting minister while I was on leave. I had no option, in fact, other than to have the entire town planning scheme considered as a whole. It is certainly not the way that I would have wanted to deal with it. It was not possible to sever the consideration of that town planning scheme. I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
I would like to ask a question of the opposition about this matter. The Leader of the Opposition said that if anyone was found to have quoted verbatim or used verbatim material provided by a lobbyist, he would sack that person. Is that right? Was that the statement he made? That was the statement he made, Mr Speaker. Therefore, I would like to know who prepared the questions for the former Leader of the Opposition and for the member for Moore, because I happen to know that Mr Plunkett actually approached my self-declared enemy Brian Burke to in fact act for him on this matter. Therefore, the opposition can tell us now who wrote those questions for those members: was it Brian Burke or was it his subcontractor and good friend and non-enemy Noel Crichton-Browne?
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