❓ Mr. McGowan questions the Premier's lack of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the Treasurer's absence following a road traffic incident involving Rachael Turnseck. The Premier defends his actions, citing concern for the Treasurer's well-being and criticising the opposition's line of questioning.
AnsweredQoN 101Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MEMBER FOR VASSE — ROAD TRAFFIC INCIDENT —
RACHAEL TURNSECK
101. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the former Treasurer's chief of staff, Ms Rachael
Turnseck.
(1) Did Ms Turnseck
know about the vehicle accident; and, if so, when?
(2) At the meeting with Ms Turnseck on 24 February,
why did the Premier not ask about any immediate events that may have
precipitated the Treasurer's absence?
(3) Would it not have been reasonable for the
Premier to have asked about the circumstances surrounding the Treasurer's
absence, considering his stated knowledge at that point in time?
RACHAEL TURNSECK
101. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the former Treasurer's chief of staff, Ms Rachael
Turnseck.
(1) Did Ms Turnseck
know about the vehicle accident; and, if so, when?
(2) At the meeting with Ms Turnseck on 24 February,
why did the Premier not ask about any immediate events that may have
precipitated the Treasurer's absence?
(3) Would it not have been reasonable for the
Premier to have asked about the circumstances surrounding the Treasurer's
absence, considering his stated knowledge at that point in time?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) Why would I, on a Monday
morning, when the former Treasurer's chief of staff comes to see me in
person—just the two of us—visibly upset, telling me that Troy
had had a breakdown and would be absent, ask questions about other events? Why
would anyone? My only concern was for the then Treasurer's welfare and
wellbeing. Rachael Turnseck was very visibly upset, explaining his condition.
Why would I then go into some sort of inquisition as to what happened? From the
best of my recollection —
Mr M. McGowan : It is a reasonable thing to ask: what are
the circumstances?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is certainly not a reasonable thing to
ask! It is not a reasonable thing when you are told a colleague and a friend
has just broken down, and you have his chief of staff in tears in your office,
to start quizzing her. That is not what Australians do! I do not know where the
opposition is going with this muckraking. If the Leader of the Opposition has
something to say, stand up and say it! If he has got some further information,
contact the police commissioner and tell him! Otherwise, all the Leader of the
Opposition is doing is sliming around this chamber with tactless, insensitive
innuendo. That is all you are doing! If you have got something to say, stand up
and say it!
morning, when the former Treasurer's chief of staff comes to see me in
person—just the two of us—visibly upset, telling me that Troy
had had a breakdown and would be absent, ask questions about other events? Why
would anyone? My only concern was for the then Treasurer's welfare and
wellbeing. Rachael Turnseck was very visibly upset, explaining his condition.
Why would I then go into some sort of inquisition as to what happened? From the
best of my recollection —
Mr M. McGowan : It is a reasonable thing to ask: what are
the circumstances?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is certainly not a reasonable thing to
ask! It is not a reasonable thing when you are told a colleague and a friend
has just broken down, and you have his chief of staff in tears in your office,
to start quizzing her. That is not what Australians do! I do not know where the
opposition is going with this muckraking. If the Leader of the Opposition has
something to say, stand up and say it! If he has got some further information,
contact the police commissioner and tell him! Otherwise, all the Leader of the
Opposition is doing is sliming around this chamber with tactless, insensitive
innuendo. That is all you are doing! If you have got something to say, stand up
and say it!
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