❓ A parliamentary question regarding the government's law and order agenda and the opposition's stance. The Minister's response includes political attacks and references to a recent crime, leading to points of order and heated exchanges.
AnsweredQoN 425Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ANTISOCIAL AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR — GOVERNMENT AGENDA
Yesterday the minister advised the house about several important initiatives that the government has introduced to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour on our streets—initiatives that the opposition has not supported. Will the minister please provide the house with the details of the government’s law and order agenda? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
Yesterday the minister advised the house about several important initiatives that the government has introduced to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour on our streets—initiatives that the opposition has not supported. Will the minister please provide the house with the details of the government’s law and order agenda? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
I would be delighted to! I thank the member for his question. I am aware of his tremendous commitment in the area of law and order. Before question time, the opposition was banging on about its lack of support for the government’s law and order agenda, which includes its initiative to be tough on crime. The Labor Party is well known for its soft-on-crime approach; I know that and the public know that. The Premier used an apt term earlier when he said that the Labor Party is in denial. One member of the community who is calling for some action is Mr Rodney Cox, the father of the 23-year-old man who was allegedly stabbed to death in Northbridge over the weekend. He came forward to speak about the heartache of losing his son. He has the government’s sympathy. Mr Cox knows only too well the dangers of people carrying knives and other weapons in entertainment precincts. Just three years ago, another of his sons lost sight in one eye when he was stabbed in Northbridge. Mr Cox has said that enough is enough. He wants the Labor Party and the Greens (WA) to get behind the government’s law and order legislation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I would be delighted to! I thank the member for his question. I am aware of his tremendous commitment in the area of law and order. Before question time, the opposition was banging on about its lack of support for the government’s law and order agenda, which includes its initiative to be tough on crime. The Labor Party is well known for its soft-on-crime approach; I know that and the public know that. The Premier used an apt term earlier when he said that the Labor Party is in denial. One member of the community who is calling for some action is Mr Rodney Cox, the father of the 23-year-old man who was allegedly stabbed to death in Northbridge over the weekend. He came forward to speak about the heartache of losing his son. He has the government’s sympathy. Mr Cox knows only too well the dangers of people carrying knives and other weapons in entertainment precincts. Just three years ago, another of his sons lost sight in one eye when he was stabbed in Northbridge. Mr Cox has said that enough is enough. He wants the Labor Party and the Greens (WA) to get behind the government’s law and order legislation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
I would be delighted to! I thank the member for his question. I am aware of his tremendous commitment in the area of law and order. Before question time, the opposition was banging on about its lack of support for the government’s law and order agenda, which includes its initiative to be tough on crime. The Labor Party is well known for its soft-on-crime approach; I know that and the public know that. The Premier used an apt term earlier when he said that the Labor Party is in denial. One member of the community who is calling for some action is Mr Rodney Cox, the father of the 23-year-old man who was allegedly stabbed to death in Northbridge over the weekend. He came forward to speak about the heartache of losing his son. He has the government’s sympathy. Mr Cox knows only too well the dangers of people carrying knives and other weapons in entertainment precincts. Just three years ago, another of his sons lost sight in one eye when he was stabbed in Northbridge. Mr Cox has said that enough is enough. He wants the Labor Party and the Greens (WA) to get behind the government’s law and order legislation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Before question time, the opposition was banging on about its lack of support for the government’s law and order agenda, which includes its initiative to be tough on crime. The Labor Party is well known for its soft-on-crime approach; I know that and the public know that. The Premier used an apt term earlier when he said that the Labor Party is in denial. One member of the community who is calling for some action is Mr Rodney Cox, the father of the 23-year-old man who was allegedly stabbed to death in Northbridge over the weekend. He came forward to speak about the heartache of losing his son. He has the government’s sympathy. Mr Cox knows only too well the dangers of people carrying knives and other weapons in entertainment precincts. Just three years ago, another of his sons lost sight in one eye when he was stabbed in Northbridge. Mr Cox has said that enough is enough. He wants the Labor Party and the Greens (WA) to get behind the government’s law and order legislation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I would be delighted to! I thank the member for his question. I am aware of his tremendous commitment in the area of law and order. Before question time, the opposition was banging on about its lack of support for the government’s law and order agenda, which includes its initiative to be tough on crime. The Labor Party is well known for its soft-on-crime approach; I know that and the public know that. The Premier used an apt term earlier when he said that the Labor Party is in denial. One member of the community who is calling for some action is Mr Rodney Cox, the father of the 23-year-old man who was allegedly stabbed to death in Northbridge over the weekend. He came forward to speak about the heartache of losing his son. He has the government’s sympathy. Mr Cox knows only too well the dangers of people carrying knives and other weapons in entertainment precincts. Just three years ago, another of his sons lost sight in one eye when he was stabbed in Northbridge. Mr Cox has said that enough is enough. He wants the Labor Party and the Greens (WA) to get behind the government’s law and order legislation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
I would be delighted to! I thank the member for his question. I am aware of his tremendous commitment in the area of law and order. Before question time, the opposition was banging on about its lack of support for the government’s law and order agenda, which includes its initiative to be tough on crime. The Labor Party is well known for its soft-on-crime approach; I know that and the public know that. The Premier used an apt term earlier when he said that the Labor Party is in denial. One member of the community who is calling for some action is Mr Rodney Cox, the father of the 23-year-old man who was allegedly stabbed to death in Northbridge over the weekend. He came forward to speak about the heartache of losing his son. He has the government’s sympathy. Mr Cox knows only too well the dangers of people carrying knives and other weapons in entertainment precincts. Just three years ago, another of his sons lost sight in one eye when he was stabbed in Northbridge. Mr Cox has said that enough is enough. He wants the Labor Party and the Greens (WA) to get behind the government’s law and order legislation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Before question time, the opposition was banging on about its lack of support for the government’s law and order agenda, which includes its initiative to be tough on crime. The Labor Party is well known for its soft-on-crime approach; I know that and the public know that. The Premier used an apt term earlier when he said that the Labor Party is in denial. One member of the community who is calling for some action is Mr Rodney Cox, the father of the 23-year-old man who was allegedly stabbed to death in Northbridge over the weekend. He came forward to speak about the heartache of losing his son. He has the government’s sympathy. Mr Cox knows only too well the dangers of people carrying knives and other weapons in entertainment precincts. Just three years ago, another of his sons lost sight in one eye when he was stabbed in Northbridge. Mr Cox has said that enough is enough. He wants the Labor Party and the Greens (WA) to get behind the government’s law and order legislation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Order, member for Mindarie. Withdrawal of Remark Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, the member for Mindarie just called me dishonest. Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman : No, he didn’t. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He said “my dishonesty”. I ask that he withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
The SPEAKER : I will make the decisions in this place. I give the call to the Minister for Police. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : He got away with that one. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister is referring to a case in which a citizen has been charged with murder. He is referring directly to the facts surrounding that case, which involve elements of some violence. I refer to standing order 91, which relates to the sub judice convention. It states that members must be very careful about what they say so that they do not prejudice a trial. In making a political point and in attempting to accuse the opposition of somehow having blood on its hands, the minister is straying dangerously close to breaching that standing order. The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
The SPEAKER : Standing order 91 is a useful standing order and one of which all members should be aware. I thank you, member for Rockingham. I am sure that the minister is clearly aware of the sub judice rule, as we all should be. I am sure the minister’s remarks will be contained in an appropriate manner. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am probably more aware of the sub judice rule than is the member for Rockingham. I have been a member of Parliament for a lot longer than the member for Rockingham. Yesterday I mentioned that my comments would not breach the sub judice rule. I did not breach it yesterday and I will not do so today. I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
I sympathise with Mr Cox because of the tragedy his family has experienced. Mr Cox has asked to meet with me. I have agreed to meet with him tomorrow and I will offer any assistance as Minister for Police. I will suggest that he talk to the member for Girrawheen. The member for Girrawheen introduced her own legislation, which was tougher — Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Which you said was too weak. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No, I did not. I said it was tougher and not as balanced as our legislation. The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip. She supported her own tough — Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Ms M.M. Quirk : That’s physically impossible, mate! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am sure it is, especially given the outfit that she has on! The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
The member for Girrawheen has done a backflip on stop-and-search laws. We have seen the legislation that she introduced; however, she has now been rolled by the new supremo of law and order, the member for Mindarie, who will battle against the member for Rockingham for the leadership of the Labor Party after the federal election. At enormous battle will be going on in the Labor Party in the next couple of weeks after the federal election. I will certainly urge Mr Cox to talk to the member for Girrawheen. I will ask Mr Cox to ask the member for Girrawheen to justify how she can backflip so much on such an extremely important issue. Not only Mr Cox but also the vast majority of people in Western Australia want the stop-and-search legislation that is presently before the upper house. We are determined to give it to them, because it will give the community some area of protection. Although in the past year or so we have seen a decrease in the number of assaults in the Northbridge entertainment area, there were still 500 assaults in the last year—that is 500 too many. We will be dealing with that. We know that the opposition has not got the fortitude to do that and that it would not support any action against those people who carry weapons in those areas.
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