Houses & Motions: January 2007

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Working on the sequel

Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH: [...] The parliamentary secretary may not be aware - I was not aware of this matter until it was raised with me - of the problems many our wethers and steers experience with their pizzle. Thankfully, I have not caught it! I have not been out in the paddock long enough. However, I understand it is a major problem. Pizzle rot is occurring everywhere. It is increasing rapidly and causing all sorts of problems for farmers. Is the parliamentary secretary aware of the incidence of pizzle rot in wethers and steers? Is the restricted access to the steroid testosterone impacting on producers?

Mr A.D. McRAE: I might have to defer that question!

The CHAIRMAN: The last parliamentary secretary had to phone a friend; perhaps the parliamentary secretary would like 50-50!

Mr A.D. McRAE: I polished up on my knowledge of carnal bunt and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, but I did not deal with pizzle rot! I might ask some scientists to give us that information by way of supplementary information, because at the moment we are struggling to understand the extent of the problem.

Subject: Division 11: Agriculture, $148 576 000 - [Legislative Assembly - Estimates Committee]

Date: 9 June 2005

Hansard reference: pp. 374b - 387a [online (pdf)]

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

They started it...

Hon PETER FOSS: [...] The reason I am asking these questions is obvious. The minister knows exactly why; he just does not want to say it. He almost gags on admitting that this Bill is inconsistent with and amends the Electoral Distribution Act. The minister will not say it, because if he does not say it, it will not happen. However, he looks a bit like Basil Fawlty. Do not mention the law! It is very hard sometimes not to mention the law.

Hon Kim Chance: Especially when you goosestep!

Hon PETER FOSS: I am glad I am providing amusement -

Hon N.D. Griffiths: You are.

Hon PETER FOSS: The minister is too. I pose this question -

Hon N.D. Griffiths: You are good at posing.

Subject: Electoral Amendment Bill 2001 [Legislative Council - Committee]

Date: 6 December 2001

Hansard reference: pp. 6557 [online (pdf)]

Monday, January 29, 2007

Just Greenough

Mr G. WOODHAMS: [...] Beyondblue, the national depression initiative, strongly supports this suggestion that I make. I will quote from beyondblue -

While the rate at which mental disorders occur does not differ greatly between metropolitan, rural and remote populations, the likelihood of professional help being sought is lowest among men living away from big cities.

I apologise for my ringing mobile phone, Mr Speaker.

Mr M.P. Murray: Twenty bucks.

Ms M.M. Quirk: It’s your mum again!

Mr G. WOODHAMS: I think it is Mr Kennett.

A member: I think it’s a point of order.

Mr G. WOODHAMS: It was Mr Kennett, Mr Speaker. The reference to beyondblue was an instant line to him!

Subject: Mental Health Services - Rural and Regional Areas [Legislative Assembly - Grievance]

Date: 31 May 2006

Hansard reference: pp. 3314b - 3317a [online (pdf)]

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Why do we always come here?

MR T. BUSWELL (Vasse - Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [7.08 pm]: I will be leading the opposition’s contribution to the debate on the Stamp Amendment Bill 2006, which I am sure the Treasurer is happy about. It is the opposition’s intention to support this bill. I am sure the Treasurer has noted that I am always very happy to be supportive of legislation that I think is in the public interest for a variety of reasons. I do believe that this is a case in point.

Mr P.B. Watson: Put your notes together in the car, did you?

Mr T. BUSWELL: I put my notes together in a hurry. The one difference between members on this side of the house and the member for Albany luxuriating on the government back benches is that we make a contribution to debates in this place. Every time I look over at the two members sitting opposite, it reminds me of something. I will ask my colleagues to take a step back in time to The Muppet Show, from which they may remember the two characters, Statler and Waldorf, who sat in a balcony. If they were not modelled on the two members opposite, I will take a long walk and a long leap into a very hot place! I hear them make inane comments that provide an interesting insight into their cranial activity. Every time they open their mouths we understand fully that their cranium represents the perfect definition of a vacuum; nonetheless, they are two nice gents.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Mrs J. Hughes): Can we get back to matters at hand please.

Mr T. BUSWELL: I am frantically searching for my notes but I can continue without them.

[...]

Mr E.S. Ripper: I get the feeling that you and I could do a deal on retail trading hours. Is that possible?

Mr T. BUSWELL: My portfolio responsibilities merely extend to taxation and government expenditure. Competition reform is not in my portfolio area of responsibilities. Unfortunately, I am precluded from discussing it with the Treasurer.

Mr E.S. Ripper: Who is responsible?

Mr T. BUSWELL: I will find out and let the Treasurer know.

Mr P.B. Watson: Talking about numbers, you’d be Miss Piggy.

Mr T. BUSWELL: It is lovely to see Statler again. Look at Statler and Waldorf!

Subject: Stamp Amendment Bill 2006 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]

Date: 21 November 2006

Hansard reference: pp. 8485d - 8497a [online (pdf)]

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Intensive care

Mr J.L. BRADSHAW: England is the last place to go to get health service advice.

The minister managed to weasel his way onto an English breakfast television program similar to our Today show. The commentator told him to nick off because the English did not want him pinching their nurses. They have the same problem - a nurse shortage. I saw the program while I was in England recently. I got a hell of a surprise when our Minister for Health popped up.

Mr R.F. Johnson: Did he have make-up on?

Mr J.L. BRADSHAW: Probably.

Mr J.N. Hyde: How many nurses did you see in the United Kingdom?

Mr J.L. BRADSHAW: None; I had my wife with me.

Several members interjected.

Mr J.L. BRADSHAW: I am too old for that sort of thing.

Several members interjected.

Subject: Address-in-Reply [Legislative Assembly - Motion]

Date: 14 August 2002

Hansard reference: pp. 102z - 130z [online (pdf)]

Friday, January 26, 2007

That's talking themselves down a little

Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS: [...] I take this opportunity to commend the minister’s advisers. We are approaching the end of the parliamentary sitting and we have had some long hours. It is highly commendable that they have been available to provide advice to the minister and to members in this chamber. That should be acknowledged by members in this place.

Mr J.A. McGinty: Thank you for that.

Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS: They deserve acknowledgment for being prepared to be available in this place.

Mr J.A. McGinty: One of them missed out on a Jacki Weaver play tonight to be here to watch this instead!

Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS: How very unfortunate that she should have to come here and watch us instead! I know where I would rather be!

Subject: Acts Amendment (Advance Health Care Planning) Bill 2006 [Legislative Assembly - Consideration in Detail]

Date: 29 November 2006

Hansard reference: pp. 8998b - 9016a [online (pdf)]

Thursday, January 25, 2007

The other Potter

Hon BARBARA SCOTT: [...] I could not help but reflect when Hon Chrissy Sharp spoke this morning and said that marijuana is not harmful and should be more available. We should reflect more on the Flopsy Bunnies of Beatrix Potter. Members opposite should reconsider that story. They recommend drinking chamomile tea for stress.

Hon Christine Sharp: Lettuces.

Hon BARBARA SCOTT: The lettuces are soporific; they make people sleep. Take notice of Beatrix Potter and the Flopsy Bunnies; they provide good advice. It is much better than promoting cannabis and marijuana.

Subject: Cannabis Control Bill 2003 [Legislative Council - Second Reading]

Date: 14 August 2003

Hansard reference: pp. 9930b - 9946a [online (pdf)]

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Behind bars

Mr BIRNEY: [...] I would like to address a couple of other issues but, as I have run out of time, I am sure the Deputy Premier wants to say a few words.

Mr Ripper: I could sit quietly and see if you are given a further opportunity to speak.

Mr JOHNSON: I would like to hear more from the member for Kalgoorlie. He has a great interest in this Bill and the upper House’s amendments.

Mr McGowan interjected.

Mr JOHNSON: I am absolutely passionate. The member for Kalgoorlie has a lot of knowledge, because Kalgoorlie is very famous for its public drinking houses.

Ms MacTiernan: I thought you were going to say he has a lot of knowledge because he has been thrown out of a lot of pubs!

Mr JOHNSON: Not at all. The member for Kalgoorlie is an extremely competent businessman and has run a very good business in Kalgoorlie.

Ms MacTiernan: It must be only meetings he gets thrown out of.

Mr JOHNSON: The member is concerned for the people in Kalgoorlie, because it has a pub on every corner. I have been to Kalgoorlie only half a dozen times, and I have been in only a couple of the pubs. I am not a big drinker, and I have never been thrown out of a pub. It is important that we hear from the member for Kalgoorlie, if only for the benefit of the member for Armadale. I am not sure that she understands this Bill. I want her to understand this Bill, because it relates to heavy drinking. It is important that every member of the House know about that.

Ms MacTiernan: Absolutely. It is good that your side of the House recognises that it might have some issues in that area.

Mr JOHNSON: I think the issues are on the minister’s side of the House.

Ms MacTiernan: We are seeking to understand some of the behaviour on your side of the House.

Mr JOHNSON: The minister can drink me under the table any day. I am not a heavy drinker.

Mr Marshall: Can you hold your drink?

Mr JOHNSON: I can certainly hold my drink.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members, I bring your attention back to the debate.

Mr JOHNSON: The member for Kalgoorlie is making a fantastic contribution to the debate on this Bill because he has a wide knowledge about not only this area but also many other areas.

Mr McGowan: Are you saying he is also knowledgeable about prostitution?

Mr JOHNSON: He is very knowledgeable about many things. He is a jewel in our crown.

Mr Ripper: You have convinced me; I really want to hear from the member for Kalgoorlie!

Mr JOHNSON: I have achieved something today. I am absolutely passionate. I hope that the member for Kalgoorlie continues his remarks and enlightens not only members on this side of the House but also certain members on the other side of the House.

Mr BIRNEY: I thank the member for Hillarys. I was not intending to continue, but the member has inspired me to once more bring some issues to the Deputy Premier’s attention.

Subject: Liquor Licensing Amendment Bill 2001 [Legislative Assembly - Council's Amendments]

Date: 28 November 2001

Hansard reference: pp. 6021 - 6022 [online (pdf)]

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Case study

Hon TOM STEPHENS: [...] I do not want to go back to the charcoal and scroll days. I hope there are no Luddites among us who are opposed to new technology. I have been inspired by the leadership of our Presiding Officer, who has made a computer available to himself. I would be concerned if the House were denying the rest of us access to that technology. I have heard that a member who was recently looking for a bookcase in the Parliament was told that there were no funds for bookcases and that if he wanted one he would have to bring in his own. He did.

Hon Derrick Tomlinson: Why would he want a bookcase when there are no books?

Hon TOM STEPHENS: He might want to read a book! We cannot have members reading books! Books are dangerous! They have been responsible for ideas creeping through society! I have heard that someone responsible for these funds for computers has said that funds cannot be allocated to members of Parliament for computers because the members who know how to use them will have an advantage over those who do not.

Hon Graham Edwards: On that basis, I think we should get rid of all our foot heaters!

Subject: Adjournment Debate - Members of Parliament Computers [Legislative Council - Adjournment Debate]

Date: 20 March 1997

Hansard reference: pp. 692 [online (pdf)]

Monday, January 22, 2007

Lock it in

Mr P.D. OMODEI: Does the member know what karnal bunt is?

Ms M.M. QUIRK: I certainly do, member for Warren-Blackwood. I have a copy of the wheat industry biosecurity plan of July 2002, which notes that there has been a low level of surveillance for karnal bunt in the sampling of grain receivals. In July 2002 the risk was assessed as being relatively low. Given the observations in the budget papers, has the parliamentary secretary reassessed the threat of karnal bunt?

Mr F.M. LOGAN: At this point is it possible for me to phone a friend?

The CHAIRMAN: You may have a lifeline!

Mr F.M. LOGAN: Maybe I can go for a 50-50! I will be able to answer this question because I know the member for Girrawheen has a particular fascination with karnal bunt. I am glad that she did not get the first letters of this particular disease around the wrong way!

The CHAIRMAN: No spoonerisms around here!

Subject: Division 11: Agriculture, $120 243 00 - [Legislative Assembly - Estimates Committee]

Date: 19 May 2004

Hansard reference: pp. 288b - 303a [online (pdf)]

Sunday, January 21, 2007

The need for direction

Hon DERRICK TOMLINSON: [...] Is this a question of the manner of teaching? Is it a question of content? For example, would it be a contravention of the subclause if a music teacher taught maths, when the person was employed on condition that music only be taught because the person was competent to teach music only? I do not think that would relate to the way a person practises. If the person taught in a way that was too didactic in his or her presentation, as I would have -

Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: I was just going to say that.

Hon DERRICK TOMLINSON: That is why I used it. I gave Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich a chance to wake up, did I not, sweetheart?

Withdrawal of Remark

The DEPUTY CHAIRMAN (Hon Simon O’Brien): Order! That exchange might have been between the honourable member and Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, in which case it was unruly. However, if I am being unfair and the honourable member was addressing the Chair, he should not do so using the term “sweetheart”!

Hon DERRICK TOMLINSON: I withdraw my unparliamentary language, Mr Deputy Chairman.

Subject: Western Australian College of Teaching Bill 2003 [Legislative Council - Committee]

Date: 7 May 2004

Hansard reference: pp. 2519b - 2535a [online (pdf)]

Saturday, January 20, 2007

He's losing it

MR E.S. RIPPER: [...] I want to go back to a point I was making before the opposition distracted me with an interjection.

Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Did I distract you, Treasurer?

Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Carine is capable of that, but not on this occasion. The point that I was trying to make before -

Mr P.D. Omodei: You’re blushing!

Mr E.S. RIPPER: Not at all. The point that I was making before the opposition distracted me was -

Dr K.D. Hames: Get Ljiljanna in.

Mr E.S. RIPPER: That would not be a good idea!

Subject: Tax Relief [Legislative Assembly - Motion]

Date: 12 April 2006

Hansard reference: pp. 1619b - 1641a [online (pdf)]

Friday, January 19, 2007

Below the thunders of the upper deep

Mr KUCERA: [...] Members should look at the crest of the House. Yesterday, the member for Nedlands quoted the law, which she is very fond of doing. I ask the member for Moore what honi soit qui mal y pense means.

Mr McNee: What are you asking me for?

Mr KUCERA: How many years has the member sat in this place under that crest?

Mr McNee: What sort of rubbish are you trying to drive home now?

Mr KUCERA: Honi soit qui mal y pense - evil be to him who evil thinks.

Mr McNee: It only happens when good people do nothing.

Mr KUCERA: Evil be to him who evil thinks. I love waking up the member for Moore. Mr Speaker, did you ever read that wonderful book by John Wyndham, The Kraken Awakes? We have a kraken in the House. We have moved on in this world since 1592.

Mr Logan: Some of us have.

Mr KUCERA: Yes. In fact, some of us were here then.

Subject: Acts Amendment (Lesbian and Gay Law Reform) Bill 2001 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]

Date: 6 December 2001

Hansard reference: pp. 6646 [online (pdf)]

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Q and not A

289. Hon NORMAN MOORE to the minister representing the Minister for the Environment:

Obviously, this is question time and not answer time.

Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: That is why it is called question time; otherwise it would be answer time.

Hon NORMAN MOORE: I know. I would like to give notice that at the next sitting of the house we will change it to question and answer time.

Hon Kim Chance: No, I blush when I get a bad answer, and I didn’t do so then.

Hon NORMAN MOORE: The Leader of the House is blushing now, and I can understand why. I know how he feels, because I used to have a minister who did the same thing to me.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order, members! Let us move on.

Subject: Conservation Commission, Aboriginal Heritage [Legislative Council - Questions Without Notice]

Date: 19 May 2005

Hansard reference: pp. 1956b - 1956b [online (pdf)]

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

King of the impossible

MR McGOWAN (Rockingham) [3.35 pm]: [...] I was intrigued by the comments of the member for Geraldton, who seemed to think that, on the one hand, people who did not pay their fines should go to jail, while, on the one hand, people who were speeding and were caught by Multanovas should be allowed to get off.

Mr Bloffwitch: I had a photograph in which no detective could ever recognise me, and I paid the fine. Get that clear.

Mr McGOWAN: I find it difficult to believe that no-one could recognise the member for Geraldton in a photograph, because he is a very distinctive looking fellow. I would recognise him anywhere.

Mr Omodei: Not if the flash went off the top of his head. It would have blinded the camera!

Subject: Acts Amendment (Fines Enforcement) Bill 1999 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]

Date: 11 May 2000

Hansard reference: pp. 6921 [online (pdf)]

I see red...

Dr K.D. HAMES: [...] Are you waving to me, Mr Speaker?

The SPEAKER: No, I was not waving to anyone.

Mr J.A. McGinty: Hello sailor!

Dr K.D. HAMES: Sweetheart! Do not put that in Hansard!

Mr J.A. McGinty: It would be the end of your career!

Mr R.C. Kucera: Are you blushing?

Dr K.D. HAMES: I am blushing.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Twice shy

Hon BRUCE DONALDSON: [...] Anyway, the odontologist showed us the most grotesque bite marks on the anatomies of some people. He said that the Bill had failed to state that the examination of a bite mark on a body must be made within the first 24 hours. He gave us an example of a person who had robbed a bakery overnight and had eaten a piece of chocolate cake. He was able to match the bite mark on the piece of cake to the mouth of the person from whom they had taken the - what do they call it?

Hon Nick Griffiths: Swab?

Hon BRUCE DONALDSON: No, not a swab, it was the bite mark.

Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: What does it start with?

Hon Derrick Tomlinson: Somebody’s teeth sinking into your skin!

Subject: Committee Reports and Ministerial Statements - Consideration [Legislative Council - Committee]

Date: 5 March 2004

Hansard reference: pp. 525d - 539a [online (pdf)]

Monday, January 15, 2007

ACME Insurance Brokers

MR M. McGOWAN (Rockingham - Parliamentary Secretary) [1.07 pm]: [...] On the impact that this legislation will have, the member for Merredin commented upon a hypothetical case in which someone who wanted insurance for a horse had the phone hung up on him.

Mr B.J. Grylls: It was not a hypothetical case; it was me.

Mr M. McGOWAN: Was the phone hung up on the member?

Mr B.J. Grylls: No, the insurance broker said to me that he was not interested. As soon as I mentioned a horse and property, the insurance broker told me to ring somebody else.

Mr M. McGOWAN: What was the beep, beep, beeping? You said there was beep, beep, beeping.

Mr B.J. Grylls: I said that that may as well have been what happened.

Mr T.K. Waldron: And the roadrunner was going past at the same time!

Subject: Civil Liability Amendment Bill 2004 [Legislative Assembly - Consideration in Detail]

Date: 16 June 2004

Hansard reference: pp. 3769c - 3774a [online (pdf)]

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Gets in your eyes

Ms S.E. Walker: Have you ever been a smoker?

Mr J.A. McGINTY: In my youth.

Ms S.E. Walker: You look as though you have been.

Mr J.A. McGINTY: I will not lead with my chin and ask how the member for Nedlands can tell that. We are targeting all these things. I was delighted when, a month ago -

Mr R.F. Johnson: I reckon you smoked when you were pictured doing that.

Mr J.A. McGinty: Luckily I cannot see the picture the member for Hillarys is holding up.

Mr R.F. Johnson: Two of your colleagues are with you. You look like a real free-swinging hippy.

Mr J.A. McGINTY: Did the member for Hillarys ever have hair below his ears?

Mr R.F. Johnson: No; never. I was a good boy. The chap in the picture with the megaphone looking like Osama bin Laden in the other photograph is your good friend the Treasurer. You will recognise the one in the middle probably.

Ms S.E. Walker: Did he say between or below?

Mr J.A. McGINTY: Hopefully, below.

Subject: Smoking in Cars - Education Campaign [Legislative Assembly - Motion]

Date: 28 June 2006

Hansard reference: pp. 4468b - 4486a [online (pdf)]

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Derailed

Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS: [...] I thank the Leader of the House for affording me the opportunity to make this speech on my return from parliamentary business. This issue has been of great interest to me over the past 14 months. I dream railcars and rail tracks.

Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected.

Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS: No, I do not want a Thomas the Tank engine or the Fat Controller for Christmas.

Subject: Railway (Jandakot to Perth) Bill 2002 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]

Date: 17 September 2002

Hansard reference: pp. 1054b - 1069a [online (pdf)]

Friday, January 12, 2007

In need of a lift

Mr M.W. TRENORDEN: [...] There is no plan to expand health services in the country, or to meet the health needs of the hundreds of thousands of Western Australians who live, work and invest in regional Western Australia.

Dr J.M. Woollard interjected.

Mr R.C. Kucera: Member for Avon, your voice has changed.

Mr M.W. TRENORDEN: I fell down the stairs.

Subject: Appropriation (Consolidated Fund) Bill (no. 1) 2003 / Appropriation (Consolidated Fund) Bill (no. 2) 2003 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading - Cognate Debate]

Date: 14 May 2003

Hansard reference: pp. 7706c - 7749a [online (pdf)]

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Housekeeping

Greetings!

I'm just interrupting the flow for a few notices. First, hello to all new and returning visitors - publicity, mainly it appears from one source, is gradually increasing, and although this site at the moment is just a lot of random quotes from Western Australia's State Government between 1997 and 2006, we still hope it's somewhat entertaining.

With that in mind, at some point in February this site may change - certainly I'm looking at migrating it over to Wordpress and thus the domain and the general look of the page will change from being a standard Blogger thing. Nothing against Blogger, it's worked well (despite the two 2006s in the archives), just time to move on.

Before then, we'll try to keep the quotes coming, although there are a few obstacles that may limit them - personally I have some sort of thesis due in the next month and more importantly have steadily reduced my backlog, and similarly fun things like conferences, travel and work are also likely to keep the number of new posts down.

Still, we'll be updating whenever possible, and hopefully all the changes will be in place in time for the first sittings for 2007 of the State Government.

Anthemic Greenough for you?

MR G.A. WOODHAMS (Greenough) [10.13 pm]: I notice in this house that there is often some licence to use certain language to express points of view. I choose to take licence to express a particular point of view about the Australian anthem, Advance Australian Fair. Perhaps our learned friends on the other side of the house would like to rewrite the national anthem to become Advance Australia Equal! It could be rendered: “Australians, let us all rejoice, for 57 seats have we; golden soil and wealth for toil, our home is girt by sea.” Members should feel free to sing along if they know the words. “Our land abounds in nature’s gifts of beauty rich and rare, and history’s page at every stage, Advance Australia Equal. In joyful strains then let us sing Advance Australia Equal. When gallant Gallop from Geraldton sailed to trace wide oceans over, false courage bore him on, till he landed back on our shore. Then here he raised old Labor’s flag, the standard of the red, with all his faults we love Jim still, one vote, one value rules the wave! In joyful strains then let us sing Advance Australia Equal. Beneath our radiant Parliament House, we’ll toil with hearts and hands, to make this city-state of ours, renowned of all the lands. For those who’ve come across the seas, we’ve boundless electorates to share, with courage let them all be combined, to advance Australia equal. In joyful strains then let us sing Advance Australia Equal.”

Subject: One Vote One Value Bill 2005 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]

Date: 5 April 2005

Hansard reference: pp. 266b - 345b [online (pdf)]

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

A novel approach

Hon FRANK HOUGH: [...] These are issues for which we have professionals and the public service to advise us on. The issue I am talking about is a civil issue. Another issue is water. The Water Corporation is doing a crappy job. I do not know whether I am allowed to say that in Parliament. “Crappy” is not a dirty word. It means something is not quite fixed.

Hon Nick Griffiths: It’s not very parliamentary.

Hon FRANK HOUGH: It might not be parliamentary to you, minister, but it is to me. If you are that pathetic, why not leave the Chamber?

Why do we not get proper water from the Water Corporation? Why do we have restrictions? Why not ask the people how to fix these problems? We can ask people for their views in these areas. A broader community input can be sought with CIR in several areas. When the community tells us what to do, they cannot criticise us. If 85 per cent of the community state to the Government that they want capital and corporal punishment, then so be it. That would mean that the usual 15 per cent - or is it five to 10 per cent? - would be opposed to it, but we cannot please everyone. When this motion I have moved is put, support will go hiding. At the end of day, it will be like the hounds of the Baskervilles. It will be the Scarlet Pimpernel in this Chamber. We seek him here. We seek him there. We seek him everywhere. Where can he be, that damned elusive Pimpernel? Will members vote with Frank Hough? No. “I’m indisposed.” Will the minister become the Scarlet Pimpernel?

Hon Nick Griffiths: I’d rather you did not seek me. I’ll stay here, thank you very much

Subject: Capital Punishment for Offenders of Heinous Crimes [Legislative Council - Motion]

Date: 12 November 2003

Hansard reference: pp. 12986c - 13003a [online (pdf)]

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Commercial break

MS K. HODSON-THOMAS (Carine) [10.47 pm]: [...] In my electorate I have some seven independent shopping centres. Carine Glades Shopping Centre is a hive of activity. It is one of the best shopping centres in Perth. If members are looking to go shopping and need to find something special, they can find it at Carine Glades Shopping Centre. I notice that the Hansard staff are smiling. I have seen many of them shopping in my electorate and at the Carine Glades Shopping Centre. It is a great place to shop. It is highly competitive and has fresh produce. If I were to compare the vegetable produce available there with what I could get at, say, Coles or Woolworths, I would have to say that in this case it is second to none. In fact, the centre was recently presented with an award in recognition of its great produce. It is a great business entity.

Mr D.A. Templeman: What is the stone fruit like?

Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS: The stone fruit is absolutely beautiful.

Mr D.A. Templeman: Firm peaches?

Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS: It has firm peaches. The member for Mandurah must travel.

Mr D.A. Templeman: Once the train is running I will be able to go up and sample the firm peaches at Carine Glades Shopping Centre.

Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS: It would not be a speech of mine if we did not talk about the railway! All members should go to the Carine Glades Shopping Centre. I am sure that people at the centre do not expect me to talk about it in such -

Mr D.A. Templeman: This is not a personal, paid advertisement, is it?

Subject: Retail Shops and Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Bill 2003 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]

Date: 26 November 2003

Hansard reference: pp. 13739b - 13764a [online (pdf)]

Monday, January 08, 2007

Impish

Mr M.J. COWPER: [...] I feel sorry for the people at the Fines Enforcement Registry. They must have an absolute sea of paperwork or a fantastic computer system. We have already heard from the member for Roe about how there are glitches and gremlins in the system. A classic example is sitting opposite - I had almost forgotten about the member for Ballajura!

Mr J.B. D’Orazio: You have a short memory!

Mr M.J. COWPER: I am a forgiving person!

Mr R.F. Johnson: I can’t believe he’s supporting this legislation!

Mr J.B. D’Orazio: Wait till I finish!

Subject: Fines Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]

Date: 28 November 2006

Hansard reference: pp. 8857c - 8875a [online (pdf)]

Friday, January 05, 2007

It's a start

HON FRANK HOUGH (Agricultural) [5.47 pm]: I have a tremendous dilemma regarding this Bill. Although I have been in Parliament for three years this month and have been in business for 30 years, this is probably one of the most difficult issues with which I have had to deal. Like Ian Thorpe on the starting blocks, I was about to enter into the race but, unfortunately, I have fallen into the swimming pool and I do not know whether to further contribute to the race. It is most difficult.

Hon Simon O’Brien: That is where the similarity ends.

Hon FRANK HOUGH: I probably cannot swim as well as Ian Thorpe, but I have a paddle pool at home.

Subject: Human Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2003 [Legislative Council - Second Reading]

Date: 4 May 2004

Hansard reference: pp. 2102e - 2111a [online (pdf)]

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Mind and owned business

Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH: [...] I have a great deal of sympathy for people who run small businesses. I am aware that if a person is running a small business, much of what he does relies on his ability to run that business. He cannot always replace his skills as an owner with somebody who is hired or employed. In a one or two-person business it simply cannot be done. If a person had a small business, he would make sure that -

Ms S.E. Walker: Have you ever had a small business?

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, member for Nedlands!

Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH: If a person ever had a business, he would never, under any circumstances, employ the member for Nedlands. The last time I saw cow pats stacked as high as the member for Nedlands was in a cow paddock in India. It was a long time ago.

Ms S.E. Walker: How do you run your small business?

Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH: Like the member runs her small mind.

Ms S.E. Walker: I have a good mind. None of your bulldust.

Mr R.F. Johnson: She has your mark.

Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH: Mate, she is a legend in her own brain cell; that is her problem.

Ms S.E. Walker interjected.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, member for Nedlands!

Subject: Retail Shops and Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Bill 2003 [Legislative Assembly - Consideration in Detail]

Date: 27 November 2003

Hansard reference: pp. 13830b - 13839a [online (pdf)]

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Cereal offenders

Mr B.K. MASTERS: [...] Half-yearly reports are sometimes difficult to understand by people who do not have expertise in accounting matters. Again, unless opposition members like me are on the mailing list of entities such as LandCorp and Western Power, they do not get annual reports sent to them automatically; they must visit a web site or make a phone call to have reports delivered to them.

Ms A.J. MacTiernan: You are supposed to do some work in opposition.

Mr B.K. MASTERS: I appreciate that.

Ms A.J. MacTiernan: You are not spoon-fed like you were in government.

Mr B.K. MASTERS: It is a different type of spoon-feeding; it is a different type of work in government.

Mr P.D. Omodei: You are on Farex and we are on Weetbix!

Mr B.K. MASTERS: I would never accuse the minister of ever being spoon-fed.

Ms A.J. MacTiernan: I tell you what, mate, I do a lot more work than you guys did when you were in office.

Mr P.D. Omodei: I think you are actually on All-Bran.

Ms A.J. MacTiernan: I don’t need that when you are in the House!

Mr B.K. MASTERS: If I had heard the comment, I would probably say it was very droll, but I missed it.

Subject: Western Australian Land Authority Amendment Bill 2003 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]

Date: 17 June 2003

Hansard reference: pp. 8823b - 8828a [online (pdf)]

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Straight to video sequel

following on from this...

HON B.K. DONALDSON (Agricultural) [12.03 pm]: [...] I was somewhat amused the other day when the President gave a small commercial to inform members, quite rightly, of the videotapes of members’ speeches that are available at a cost of $22. My imagination started to run fairly wild, and I wondered whether in years to come a pattern would emerge in this House with the President announcing the daily specials from the dining room, the souvenir shop and possibly even from the bar in the form of packaged wines and beers. However, heaven forbid, my imagination went even wilder -

The PRESIDENT: Steady, member, steady!

Hon B.K. DONALDSON: I wondered whether we would see the day when the President would interrupt the debate at the end of an hour and say, “This hour has been proudly supported by so and so”; and I thought of Joe Bloggs’ hot air balloon safaris, for argument’s sake. The mind really boggles at what we might see one day.

Hon N.D. Griffiths: I might order a videotape of this speech.

Hon B.K. DONALDSON: It even goes further. We might have a situation like the one with Australian Football League teams and everyone else who goes onto a sporting ground these days, where we cannot see their uniforms because of all the logos of the companies that sponsor them. I guess it would never come to that, but it did give me food for thought.

Subject: Address-in-Reply [Legislative Council - Motion]

Date: 28 June 2001

Hansard reference: pp. 1530 [online (pdf)]

Monday, January 01, 2007

This year's models

MR T.R. BUSWELL (Vasse - Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [4.17 pm]: [...] I know that the Treasurer is on a fairly tight time line. I know that tomorrow is his moment in the sun. He will turn up at Parliament House just before two o’clock in the afternoon in his government car. The cameras will be there. He will step out briskly and walk into the chamber. We have heard today that a photographer from The West Australian will capture the moment for posterity, so I assume that the Treasurer will need to get away early tonight for a tizzy up or some such thing.

Ms J.A. Radisich: I reckon he is looking pretty good!

Mr T.R. BUSWELL: I reckon he is looking pretty good as well. Enough indulgence. Before I go on, I should point out to the Treasurer that there has been a rumour in the corridors of Parliament -

Mr F.M. Logan: About you!

Mr T.R. BUSWELL: I am involved in it. There is a rumour that members of Parliament should come together to create an MPs calendar for sale and distribution across Western Australia to raise funds for an identified charity. It was put to me that perhaps the Treasurer and I could be the joint Mr Januarys in our Speedos or some such thing! With that thought, as I do not want to put the Treasurer off sleeping tonight, I will move on. There are a couple of serious matters -

Mr M. McGowan: Shane Warne style.

Mr T.R. BUSWELL: Yes, but will the bunny ears be up or down? I will move on.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Dr S.C. Thomas): I ask the member to move on to the substance of the debate.

Subject: Actual Government Spending and Budget Estimates [Legislative Assembly - Motion]

Date: 10 May 2006

Hansard reference: pp. 2513b - 2526a [online (pdf)]