❓ The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. McGowan, questions the Treasurer, Mr. Barnett, about the long-term appointment of a Treasurer following a resignation, leading to a heated exchange about the carbon tax and leadership fitness.
AnsweredQoN 283Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE DEBT AND ELECTRICITY PRICES
283. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Treasurer:
I have a supplementary question. Clearly, the Premier is not
across the Treasury portfolio. In light of that fact, who is going to be the
long-term Treasurer of Western Australia, and when exactly will he be
announcing that appointment?
283. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Treasurer:
I have a supplementary question. Clearly, the Premier is not
across the Treasury portfolio. In light of that fact, who is going to be the
long-term Treasurer of Western Australia, and when exactly will he be
announcing that appointment?
AnswerView source ↗
As I made clear in my brief ministerial statement —
Mr M. McGowan : ''In
due course''—what does that mean?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : ''In
due course'' means ''fairly shortly''. That will be
decided; the member for Bateman resigned at lunchtime today, so —
Mr M. McGowan : You've
known about it since last week!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, but we have put appropriate arrangements in place, and I will certainly
oversee the passage of the budget bills. After that we will look at a more
permanent arrangement. The Leader of the Opposition claims —
Mr M. McGowan : Who'll
be the Treasurer?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am now, and that will do for the moment!
It needs to be noted that the Leader of the Opposition has
made what I think is a cruel claim: that I am not across the Treasury portfolio.
I realise that, like any new minister in a new portfolio, I will have to prove
myself in this role. But I would have thought it would be pretty easy for the
Leader of the Opposition to tell us whether he supports the carbon tax. Is he
up to it? He sits there in a cowardly pose, unable to answer the most simple
question. He wants to be Premier, and he cannot answer that question.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : There
is only one person who does know, member for Mandurah, and I formally call you
to order for the first time today. It is a great shame; you were going so well!
I was going to give the call to the member for Mount Lawley.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I will just conclude, Mr Speaker.
If the Leader of the Opposition
cannot answer a question as to whether he supports a carbon tax, he will never
be fit to be the Premier of Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : I have given you enough time, members. Member for Girrawheen, I
formally call you to order for the first time today. Member for West Swan, I
formally call you to order for the first time today. No more stage whispers!
Mr M. McGowan : ''In
due course''—what does that mean?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : ''In
due course'' means ''fairly shortly''. That will be
decided; the member for Bateman resigned at lunchtime today, so —
Mr M. McGowan : You've
known about it since last week!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, but we have put appropriate arrangements in place, and I will certainly
oversee the passage of the budget bills. After that we will look at a more
permanent arrangement. The Leader of the Opposition claims —
Mr M. McGowan : Who'll
be the Treasurer?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am now, and that will do for the moment!
It needs to be noted that the Leader of the Opposition has
made what I think is a cruel claim: that I am not across the Treasury portfolio.
I realise that, like any new minister in a new portfolio, I will have to prove
myself in this role. But I would have thought it would be pretty easy for the
Leader of the Opposition to tell us whether he supports the carbon tax. Is he
up to it? He sits there in a cowardly pose, unable to answer the most simple
question. He wants to be Premier, and he cannot answer that question.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : There
is only one person who does know, member for Mandurah, and I formally call you
to order for the first time today. It is a great shame; you were going so well!
I was going to give the call to the member for Mount Lawley.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I will just conclude, Mr Speaker.
If the Leader of the Opposition
cannot answer a question as to whether he supports a carbon tax, he will never
be fit to be the Premier of Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : I have given you enough time, members. Member for Girrawheen, I
formally call you to order for the first time today. Member for West Swan, I
formally call you to order for the first time today. No more stage whispers!
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