❓ Opposition questions the Premier's stance on sentencing for assaults against police, citing a previous statement and rising attack numbers. The Premier defends the government's actions, highlighting recently passed legislation and advocating for observation before considering mandatory sentencing.
AnsweredQoN 7Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ASSAULTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS — PUNISHMENT
(1) Does the Premier recall stating in March 2006 that an alternative sentencing option may be preferable to a prison sentence for a person who seriously assaults a police officer? (2) Is the Premier aware that, according to estimates by the Western Australian Police Union, around 3 600 police officers have been attacked in the two years since he made that statement? (3) Will the Premier now accept that his government’s lack of action on this issue has seriously undermined morale in the ranks of our police force? (4) What does the Premier have to say to the mother of Constable Matthew Butcher, who asked this morning, in reference to the opposition’s plan to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for those who bash police officers, what it will take before such a bill is passed by the politicians? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
(1) Does the Premier recall stating in March 2006 that an alternative sentencing option may be preferable to a prison sentence for a person who seriously assaults a police officer? (2) Is the Premier aware that, according to estimates by the Western Australian Police Union, around 3 600 police officers have been attacked in the two years since he made that statement? (3) Will the Premier now accept that his government’s lack of action on this issue has seriously undermined morale in the ranks of our police force? (4) What does the Premier have to say to the mother of Constable Matthew Butcher, who asked this morning, in reference to the opposition’s plan to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for those who bash police officers, what it will take before such a bill is passed by the politicians? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
(2) Is the Premier aware that, according to estimates by the Western Australian Police Union, around 3 600 police officers have been attacked in the two years since he made that statement? (3) Will the Premier now accept that his government’s lack of action on this issue has seriously undermined morale in the ranks of our police force? (4) What does the Premier have to say to the mother of Constable Matthew Butcher, who asked this morning, in reference to the opposition’s plan to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for those who bash police officers, what it will take before such a bill is passed by the politicians? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
(3) Will the Premier now accept that his government’s lack of action on this issue has seriously undermined morale in the ranks of our police force? (4) What does the Premier have to say to the mother of Constable Matthew Butcher, who asked this morning, in reference to the opposition’s plan to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for those who bash police officers, what it will take before such a bill is passed by the politicians? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
(4) What does the Premier have to say to the mother of Constable Matthew Butcher, who asked this morning, in reference to the opposition’s plan to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for those who bash police officers, what it will take before such a bill is passed by the politicians? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
(1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
(2) Is the Premier aware that, according to estimates by the Western Australian Police Union, around 3 600 police officers have been attacked in the two years since he made that statement? (3) Will the Premier now accept that his government’s lack of action on this issue has seriously undermined morale in the ranks of our police force? (4) What does the Premier have to say to the mother of Constable Matthew Butcher, who asked this morning, in reference to the opposition’s plan to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for those who bash police officers, what it will take before such a bill is passed by the politicians? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
(3) Will the Premier now accept that his government’s lack of action on this issue has seriously undermined morale in the ranks of our police force? (4) What does the Premier have to say to the mother of Constable Matthew Butcher, who asked this morning, in reference to the opposition’s plan to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for those who bash police officers, what it will take before such a bill is passed by the politicians? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
(4) What does the Premier have to say to the mother of Constable Matthew Butcher, who asked this morning, in reference to the opposition’s plan to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for those who bash police officers, what it will take before such a bill is passed by the politicians? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
(1)-(4) In relation to the mother of Matthew Butcher, I extend the state’s deepest sympathy and support for the situation in which she finds herself. It was an incredibly tragic incident. I appreciate the anguish that she must be feeling—I think any normal person would. In relation to the broader issue, yesterday or last night legislation that will significantly increase the penalties for those who assault police officers and other public officers passed through the Parliament of Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have been waiting for that legislation to be passed for a very long time—nearly 18 months. The legislation was introduced into the lower house and, after reaching the upper house, it found itself in no-man’s-land. What we need to do now is to allow that legislation to play its part in delivering a very strong message to the community, the magistrates and the judiciary that we expect assaults of that nature to be dealt with severely. I support that position. I understand that the Commissioner of Police has said that he supports the legislation that has just passed through Parliament. We should see whether that legislation has the impact which we desire and which the people who support tougher penalties against people who assault police officers and other public officers desire. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The effect of that legislation must now be observed. If we determine at an appropriate time in the future that the response and reaction has not been adequate, we will have another look at the legislation. This is a great example, I think, of why the Parliament of Western Australia should act more efficiently. There was absolutely no excuse for that legislation to have languished for so long in the upper house. We have passed legislation that will significantly increase the penalty for people who assault police officers and other public officers—legislation that is supported by the Commissioner of Police. We will observe the effect of that legislation and in that observation we will determine whether any other action is required. Until then, I am grateful that at last that legislation has been passed. I note that only once I criticised — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order. I caution the member for Hillarys. Statements such as the one he directed at the Premier suggesting a more sinister notion are very close to being out of order. I warn him against making that type of comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I withdraw the word “criticised” and say that the legislation passed only after I prompted the upper house into action. There are difficulties and problems with mandatory sentencing in general, because it removes the discretion of the judicial officers who have the expertise, knowledge and all the facts at their disposal when dealing with cases. Before we launch into a regime of mandatory sentencing for assaults on public officers, people should think very carefully about what that might mean broadly and in individual circumstances. For example, just today I was involved in an incident with a protester outside Parliament. That incident could be categorised as an assault on me. I spoke to the person afterwards when he was in the police lockup van, which was parked over the road. I asked him why he felt so worked up that he should feel the need to attack me. By the time I spoke to him, which was some 10 or 15 minutes after the incident, he was full of remorse. I was not injured or harmed. I think it would have been unfortunate if that incident had immediately resulted in a prison sentence. I would have thought that of all members in the Western Australian Parliament who should be sensitive to the possibility of mandatory sentencing for an assault, the newly elected Leader of the Opposition would be that person. Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr T. Buswell : Do you know the difference between that and a serious assault? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. I consider what the Leader of the Opposition did to be a serious assault. It is absolutely amazing that the Leader of the Opposition does not. That is a typical response from a person who has no concept of what people are complaining about when they say that this place is a boys’ club. The Leader of the Opposition has no idea. There was a further demonstration of that yesterday when the member for Cottesloe leapt to his feet and complained that I was talking about a matter that was not a significant policy issue. That is a clear demonstration of why there is not one single woman sitting on the Liberal Party benches. The one woman left in the Liberal Party is not sitting in Parliament today because of the Leader of the Opposition’s inability to understand the seriousness of these sorts of matters. Of all the members of the Western Australian Parliament who should think twice about the concept of mandatory sentencing for assault, the Leader of the Opposition is that person. I suggest that he undergo some training on these issues, because he needs it.
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