❓ Opposition questions the Premier regarding the decision not to charge a former minister for driving without a license, alleging a double standard. Premier deflects, stating police administer the law and everyone should be treated equally.
AnsweredQoN 231Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MEMBER FOR BALLAJURA - DRIVER’S LICENCE
In light of reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the member for Ballajura, will not be charged for driving without a licence, I ask - (1) Will the Premier concede that the failure to lay charges against the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Justice and Community Safety for driving without a licence has set an extremely poor example for the people of Western Australia and a dangerous precedent? (2) Is it now the case that every person who is caught driving without a licence will be subject to the same soft treatment that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services has received, or is there a double standard for Labor ministers? Point of Order Mr M.W. TRENORDEN : Some members could not hear the question. The audio is not working. Can we get some volume? The SPEAKER : It appears to be working. Perhaps a copy of the question asked by the member for Hillarys can be given to the member for Avon. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER
In light of reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the member for Ballajura, will not be charged for driving without a licence, I ask - (1) Will the Premier concede that the failure to lay charges against the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Justice and Community Safety for driving without a licence has set an extremely poor example for the people of Western Australia and a dangerous precedent? (2) Is it now the case that every person who is caught driving without a licence will be subject to the same soft treatment that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services has received, or is there a double standard for Labor ministers? Point of Order Mr M.W. TRENORDEN : Some members could not hear the question. The audio is not working. Can we get some volume? The SPEAKER : It appears to be working. Perhaps a copy of the question asked by the member for Hillarys can be given to the member for Avon. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. I have not heard the reports that the member is talking about. Have they come out this morning? Did the member refer to reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services will not be charged? Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
(1) Will the Premier concede that the failure to lay charges against the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Justice and Community Safety for driving without a licence has set an extremely poor example for the people of Western Australia and a dangerous precedent? (2) Is it now the case that every person who is caught driving without a licence will be subject to the same soft treatment that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services has received, or is there a double standard for Labor ministers? Point of Order Mr M.W. TRENORDEN : Some members could not hear the question. The audio is not working. Can we get some volume? The SPEAKER : It appears to be working. Perhaps a copy of the question asked by the member for Hillarys can be given to the member for Avon. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. I have not heard the reports that the member is talking about. Have they come out this morning? Did the member refer to reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services will not be charged? Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
(2) Is it now the case that every person who is caught driving without a licence will be subject to the same soft treatment that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services has received, or is there a double standard for Labor ministers? Point of Order Mr M.W. TRENORDEN : Some members could not hear the question. The audio is not working. Can we get some volume? The SPEAKER : It appears to be working. Perhaps a copy of the question asked by the member for Hillarys can be given to the member for Avon. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. I have not heard the reports that the member is talking about. Have they come out this morning? Did the member refer to reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services will not be charged? Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
The SPEAKER : It appears to be working. Perhaps a copy of the question asked by the member for Hillarys can be given to the member for Avon. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. I have not heard the reports that the member is talking about. Have they come out this morning? Did the member refer to reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services will not be charged? Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. I have not heard the reports that the member is talking about. Have they come out this morning? Did the member refer to reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services will not be charged? Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
The SPEAKER : Order, members!
(1) Will the Premier concede that the failure to lay charges against the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Justice and Community Safety for driving without a licence has set an extremely poor example for the people of Western Australia and a dangerous precedent? (2) Is it now the case that every person who is caught driving without a licence will be subject to the same soft treatment that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services has received, or is there a double standard for Labor ministers? Point of Order Mr M.W. TRENORDEN : Some members could not hear the question. The audio is not working. Can we get some volume? The SPEAKER : It appears to be working. Perhaps a copy of the question asked by the member for Hillarys can be given to the member for Avon. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. I have not heard the reports that the member is talking about. Have they come out this morning? Did the member refer to reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services will not be charged? Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
(2) Is it now the case that every person who is caught driving without a licence will be subject to the same soft treatment that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services has received, or is there a double standard for Labor ministers? Point of Order Mr M.W. TRENORDEN : Some members could not hear the question. The audio is not working. Can we get some volume? The SPEAKER : It appears to be working. Perhaps a copy of the question asked by the member for Hillarys can be given to the member for Avon. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. I have not heard the reports that the member is talking about. Have they come out this morning? Did the member refer to reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services will not be charged? Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
The SPEAKER : It appears to be working. Perhaps a copy of the question asked by the member for Hillarys can be given to the member for Avon. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. I have not heard the reports that the member is talking about. Have they come out this morning? Did the member refer to reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services will not be charged? Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. I have not heard the reports that the member is talking about. Have they come out this morning? Did the member refer to reports that the former Minister for Police and Emergency Services will not be charged? Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr R.F. Johnson : Yes; the reports from the other place. The new Minister for Police and Emergency Services provided an answer to a question asked in the upper house in which he said that the former minister would not be charged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : That is okay. I have not heard that report. There is a simple answer to this. The police are there to administer the law. That is the role they play. It is not a role for us in the Parliament to individually direct the police force on a singular matter. It would be totally inappropriate. Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr R.F. Johnson : No, we are not. We are asking the police to enforce the law throughout the state. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect, as I am sure everybody does, all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr R.F. Johnson : The public does not seem to think so. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I expect all citizens of Western Australia to be treated equally before the law. Other than that, I do not know whether there is much point pursuing the line that the member is seeking to pursue. I have not heard those reports. As a layman, I understand that there are differences between a person knowingly driving without a licence and driving with the honest belief that he or she has a licence. I believe there are positions there. Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr R.F. Johnson : That is for a court to decide, Premier, not for you or anyone else. At the end of the day, you are giving an out for everybody to say, “I didn’t know I’d lost my licence.” Will they be automatically forgiven and sent on their way? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I suggest that this is a matter for the police, not for political interference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members!
The SPEAKER : Order, members!
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