❓ Dr. Honey questions the Premier about alleged misleading statements regarding electoral reform and regional representation. The Premier defends the reforms, arguing they promote fairness and democracy.
AnsweredQoN 533Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ELECTORAL
REFORM — REPRESENTATION — REGIONS
533. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Why did the Premier
deliberately mislead the people of Western Australia —
Withdrawal of Remark
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : Under
standing order 92, there can be no imputation of improper motives or personal
reflections on any member of this house. To say ''deliberate'' is
a personal imputation.
The SPEAKER : I do
believe that the minister has a point. Perhaps you could remove the word ''deliberate''.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Dr D.J. HONEY : Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.
Why did the Premier mislead the people of Western Australia
on his intentions to reduce regional representation in the Parliament of Western
Australia?
REFORM — REPRESENTATION — REGIONS
533. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Why did the Premier
deliberately mislead the people of Western Australia —
Withdrawal of Remark
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : Under
standing order 92, there can be no imputation of improper motives or personal
reflections on any member of this house. To say ''deliberate'' is
a personal imputation.
The SPEAKER : I do
believe that the minister has a point. Perhaps you could remove the word ''deliberate''.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Dr D.J. HONEY : Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.
Why did the Premier mislead the people of Western Australia
on his intentions to reduce regional representation in the Parliament of Western
Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
There has been no reduction
in regional representation. Someone living in Kalgoorlie today is represented
by six upper house MPs. Under these reforms, 37 upper house MPs will
represent them. That is the new system that we will introduce. It is based upon
something that the Leader of the Liberal Party is on the record as supporting.
That is one vote, one value. You are on the record as supporting it. Maybe you
can provide advice about why you have changed your position.
The system that we are putting in
place is fair, democratic, reasonable and easily understood. It will mean that
we avoid some of those terrible situations
whereby people with 98 votes get elected to Parliament whereas people with 25 000 votes do not. It will ensure that everyone's vote is equal in
the upper house. That is a good system. That is democracy. As a country, we
hold ourselves out to the world as a democratic place, yet the upper house of
state Parliament in Western Australia is currently completely and utterly
undemocratic, and it needs to change.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for
Water.
in regional representation. Someone living in Kalgoorlie today is represented
by six upper house MPs. Under these reforms, 37 upper house MPs will
represent them. That is the new system that we will introduce. It is based upon
something that the Leader of the Liberal Party is on the record as supporting.
That is one vote, one value. You are on the record as supporting it. Maybe you
can provide advice about why you have changed your position.
The system that we are putting in
place is fair, democratic, reasonable and easily understood. It will mean that
we avoid some of those terrible situations
whereby people with 98 votes get elected to Parliament whereas people with 25 000 votes do not. It will ensure that everyone's vote is equal in
the upper house. That is a good system. That is democracy. As a country, we
hold ourselves out to the world as a democratic place, yet the upper house of
state Parliament in Western Australia is currently completely and utterly
undemocratic, and it needs to change.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for
Water.
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