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)]

Tags: wa, state government, perth, parliament, scarlet pimpernel