❓ The Leader of the Opposition questions the Premier's confidence in the Minister for Police and Emergency Services due to a superannuation payment issue. The Premier defends the Minister, acknowledging the mistake but affirming his competence.
AnsweredQoN 28Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MINISTER FOR POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES - STAFF SUPERANNUATION PAYMENTS
Does the Premier still have confidence in the ability of his Minister for Police and Emergency Services to manage a $700 million law and order portfolio when he cannot even manage a basic obligation like paying superannuation to his employees? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
Does the Premier still have confidence in the ability of his Minister for Police and Emergency Services to manage a $700 million law and order portfolio when he cannot even manage a basic obligation like paying superannuation to his employees? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Obviously, the answer is yes; I do have confidence in the minister to manage his portfolio. I anticipate that the Leader of the Opposition will ask me another question, because he has give me some notice of it, so I will reserve some of my comments for the answer to that question. However, I take seriously the issue that is being pursued in the chamber today. It is an issue for the government, and it is an embarrassment for the minister. He has acknowledged that he made a mistake, and he has apologised for it. Several months ago, independent of anything that has happened in this Parliament, he sought to rectify the situation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition once again: has he ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Mr M.J. Birney : This morning I adopted a new policy. Under no circumstances, regardless of the amount of pressure you put on me, will I ever answer a question from you during question time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member’s advice is getting better. However, I would like to know what it is about that question that causes him such difficulty. What is it about the question asking whether he has ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Numerous members of this Parliament have been, and may still be, proprietors of small business. I ask them if they have ever been the subject of complaints. This is a serious issue. Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Obviously, the answer is yes; I do have confidence in the minister to manage his portfolio. I anticipate that the Leader of the Opposition will ask me another question, because he has give me some notice of it, so I will reserve some of my comments for the answer to that question. However, I take seriously the issue that is being pursued in the chamber today. It is an issue for the government, and it is an embarrassment for the minister. He has acknowledged that he made a mistake, and he has apologised for it. Several months ago, independent of anything that has happened in this Parliament, he sought to rectify the situation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition once again: has he ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Mr M.J. Birney : This morning I adopted a new policy. Under no circumstances, regardless of the amount of pressure you put on me, will I ever answer a question from you during question time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member’s advice is getting better. However, I would like to know what it is about that question that causes him such difficulty. What is it about the question asking whether he has ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Numerous members of this Parliament have been, and may still be, proprietors of small business. I ask them if they have ever been the subject of complaints. This is a serious issue. Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Obviously, the answer is yes; I do have confidence in the minister to manage his portfolio. I anticipate that the Leader of the Opposition will ask me another question, because he has give me some notice of it, so I will reserve some of my comments for the answer to that question. However, I take seriously the issue that is being pursued in the chamber today. It is an issue for the government, and it is an embarrassment for the minister. He has acknowledged that he made a mistake, and he has apologised for it. Several months ago, independent of anything that has happened in this Parliament, he sought to rectify the situation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition once again: has he ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Mr M.J. Birney : This morning I adopted a new policy. Under no circumstances, regardless of the amount of pressure you put on me, will I ever answer a question from you during question time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member’s advice is getting better. However, I would like to know what it is about that question that causes him such difficulty. What is it about the question asking whether he has ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Numerous members of this Parliament have been, and may still be, proprietors of small business. I ask them if they have ever been the subject of complaints. This is a serious issue. Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr M.J. Birney : This morning I adopted a new policy. Under no circumstances, regardless of the amount of pressure you put on me, will I ever answer a question from you during question time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member’s advice is getting better. However, I would like to know what it is about that question that causes him such difficulty. What is it about the question asking whether he has ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Numerous members of this Parliament have been, and may still be, proprietors of small business. I ask them if they have ever been the subject of complaints. This is a serious issue. Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member’s advice is getting better. However, I would like to know what it is about that question that causes him such difficulty. What is it about the question asking whether he has ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Numerous members of this Parliament have been, and may still be, proprietors of small business. I ask them if they have ever been the subject of complaints. This is a serious issue. Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Obviously, the answer is yes; I do have confidence in the minister to manage his portfolio. I anticipate that the Leader of the Opposition will ask me another question, because he has give me some notice of it, so I will reserve some of my comments for the answer to that question. However, I take seriously the issue that is being pursued in the chamber today. It is an issue for the government, and it is an embarrassment for the minister. He has acknowledged that he made a mistake, and he has apologised for it. Several months ago, independent of anything that has happened in this Parliament, he sought to rectify the situation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition once again: has he ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Mr M.J. Birney : This morning I adopted a new policy. Under no circumstances, regardless of the amount of pressure you put on me, will I ever answer a question from you during question time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member’s advice is getting better. However, I would like to know what it is about that question that causes him such difficulty. What is it about the question asking whether he has ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Numerous members of this Parliament have been, and may still be, proprietors of small business. I ask them if they have ever been the subject of complaints. This is a serious issue. Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Obviously, the answer is yes; I do have confidence in the minister to manage his portfolio. I anticipate that the Leader of the Opposition will ask me another question, because he has give me some notice of it, so I will reserve some of my comments for the answer to that question. However, I take seriously the issue that is being pursued in the chamber today. It is an issue for the government, and it is an embarrassment for the minister. He has acknowledged that he made a mistake, and he has apologised for it. Several months ago, independent of anything that has happened in this Parliament, he sought to rectify the situation. I ask the Leader of the Opposition once again: has he ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Mr M.J. Birney : This morning I adopted a new policy. Under no circumstances, regardless of the amount of pressure you put on me, will I ever answer a question from you during question time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member’s advice is getting better. However, I would like to know what it is about that question that causes him such difficulty. What is it about the question asking whether he has ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Numerous members of this Parliament have been, and may still be, proprietors of small business. I ask them if they have ever been the subject of complaints. This is a serious issue. Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr M.J. Birney : This morning I adopted a new policy. Under no circumstances, regardless of the amount of pressure you put on me, will I ever answer a question from you during question time. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member’s advice is getting better. However, I would like to know what it is about that question that causes him such difficulty. What is it about the question asking whether he has ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Numerous members of this Parliament have been, and may still be, proprietors of small business. I ask them if they have ever been the subject of complaints. This is a serious issue. Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member’s advice is getting better. However, I would like to know what it is about that question that causes him such difficulty. What is it about the question asking whether he has ever been the subject of a complaint about his business dealings? Numerous members of this Parliament have been, and may still be, proprietors of small business. I ask them if they have ever been the subject of complaints. This is a serious issue. Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr M.J. Birney : You’re the one with the minister who misled Parliament. His former staff have been all over the radio saying so today. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Kalgoorlie’s question to me, to which I am responding, did not assert that he had misled the Parliament. I think he is about to ask me another question, and I will answer that then. However, I would like to know from those members on the other side who have been involved in business, whether they have ever been the subject of complaint. This morning the member for Vasse went well beyond what was necessary in pursuing this issue and started reflecting upon, firstly, the appearance of the member and, secondly, on the attitude that some of his former staff members may have had of him. I ask the member for Busselton - Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr T.R. Buswell : Member for Busselton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I ask the member for Vasse whether he is confident that none of his former staff members would make adverse comment about him. Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr T.R. Buswell : I am not going to answer your question. This is not about me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : If I were in his position, I would not be too confident about that. Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr T.R. Buswell : When I am over there and I get up and make a statement to Parliament, then you can ask me. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have told the member for Kalgoorlie that I consider this to be an important issue. Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr M.J. Birney : He runs a $700 million portfolio and he cannot even pay super! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I consider the minister is more than capable of administering his portfolio. It is a significant issue. The member is embarrassed by this mistake. He has apologised to his former staff for the mistake. He sought to rectify that mistake well before this issue came before Parliament. I have no reason to doubt his competency as a minister. I have said it before and I will say it again: he is a very good minister.
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