❓ Hon. Norman Moore questions Hon. Tom Stephens regarding the alleged leaking of documents related to Port Hedland Council's finances, as reported by GWN. Stephens denies authorising any leak, arguing that the documents in question are public and therefore cannot be leaked.
AnsweredQoN 599Legislative Council
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I refer the minister to a GWN television report of 16 August - that is, last Monday. I will read my note of what was actually said in the TV program - That argument about Port Hedland Council’s money situation just won’t go away. The State Government came up with figures today that show the Council’s got almost $1.5 million. Council says that’s bulldust. But today the State Government hit back leaking documents which seemed to indicate the Council will increase spending by more than $5 million this year. Bearing in mind that the word “leaking” has been used by the GWN reporter - presumably the reporter would know that it was leaked - will the minister advise the House whether he authorised the leak; and, if he did not, who did? Hon TOM STEPHENS
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I saw the report. It is, by definition, impossible to leak a public document. A rate-setting notice is a public document and, by definition, it is not possible to leak it. Hon Norman Moore: That is not what was leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. A rate-setting notice cannot, by definition, be leaked. It is, after all, a public document. Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The State Government came up with figures today that show the Council’s got almost $1.5 million. Council says that’s bulldust. But today the State Government hit back leaking documents which seemed to indicate the Council will increase spending by more than $5 million this year.
Council says that’s bulldust. But today the State Government hit back leaking documents which seemed to indicate the Council will increase spending by more than $5 million this year.
But today the State Government hit back leaking documents which seemed to indicate the Council will increase spending by more than $5 million this year.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I saw the report. It is, by definition, impossible to leak a public document. A rate-setting notice is a public document and, by definition, it is not possible to leak it. Hon Norman Moore: That is not what was leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. A rate-setting notice cannot, by definition, be leaked. It is, after all, a public document. Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
I saw the report. It is, by definition, impossible to leak a public document. A rate-setting notice is a public document and, by definition, it is not possible to leak it. Hon Norman Moore: That is not what was leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. A rate-setting notice cannot, by definition, be leaked. It is, after all, a public document. Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Norman Moore: That is not what was leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. A rate-setting notice cannot, by definition, be leaked. It is, after all, a public document. Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. A rate-setting notice cannot, by definition, be leaked. It is, after all, a public document. Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The State Government came up with figures today that show the Council’s got almost $1.5 million. Council says that’s bulldust. But today the State Government hit back leaking documents which seemed to indicate the Council will increase spending by more than $5 million this year.
Council says that’s bulldust. But today the State Government hit back leaking documents which seemed to indicate the Council will increase spending by more than $5 million this year.
But today the State Government hit back leaking documents which seemed to indicate the Council will increase spending by more than $5 million this year.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I saw the report. It is, by definition, impossible to leak a public document. A rate-setting notice is a public document and, by definition, it is not possible to leak it. Hon Norman Moore: That is not what was leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. A rate-setting notice cannot, by definition, be leaked. It is, after all, a public document. Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
I saw the report. It is, by definition, impossible to leak a public document. A rate-setting notice is a public document and, by definition, it is not possible to leak it. Hon Norman Moore: That is not what was leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. A rate-setting notice cannot, by definition, be leaked. It is, after all, a public document. Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Norman Moore: That is not what was leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. A rate-setting notice cannot, by definition, be leaked. It is, after all, a public document. Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: No. A rate-setting notice cannot, by definition, be leaked. It is, after all, a public document. Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Norman Moore: That was not what was leaked; it was the letter from the minister. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: How can one leak a public document? The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The PRESIDENT: Order, members! There is no supplementary question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is a new art form. This is an extraordinary art form that is being described by those opposite. Here we have - Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The PRESIDENT: Order, Hon Peter Foss! The minister should bring his answer to a conclusion and not be prematurely interrupted, by me or anyone else. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Mr President, I appreciate the warning. The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The opportunity for the ratepayers, the community and the media to see a public document and to appreciate and digest the public document before a council meeting is commonplace across the 144 councils of Western Australia. I do not know why the Leader of the Opposition would want to champion the cause of such documents not being made available to any interested party. I am very pleased that that document, with the facts contained in it, supplied by the council officers to their councillors and others, was distributed and made available to people with an interest in that matter. By definition that cannot be a leakage. Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Peter Foss interjected. The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
The PRESIDENT: Order, members! We are going to the process now. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: As I understand it, the process was this - Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Norman Moore: You should talk to the reporter about that. You should talk to the reporter about whether he or she thought it was being leaked because he or she thought it was being leaked, Mr Minister. Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: As a matter of fact, I have talked to the reporter. Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon Norman Moore: He or she said it was leaked in the story. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will tell the Leader of the Opposition what the reporter has told me: that a document sent to him for his attention was, in fact, taken by others and misused.
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