Slightly disturbing

Hon FRANK HOUGH: This is an attractive business and I am sure the Government has looked at this issue. To build a large corporation and to put up an investment such as this requires guarantees; a return is needed on the investment. These things are very important. I do not believe that we should have a fragmented industry of half a dozen small timber industries feeding off the forest. The member of the Greens (WA) who holds a building licence - I do not think she is any relation of Bob the Builder -

A government member interjected.

Hon FRANK HOUGH: The member does not watch television.

Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: That is about your level.

Hon FRANK HOUGH: I do not watch The Wiggles.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (Hon Jon Ford): Order, members!

Hon Ken Travers: Can we fix it; yes we can!

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order, members! Do not get excited at the end of the night.

Hon FRANK HOUGH: Thank you, Mr Deputy President. We will probably hit ’em high, hit ’em low and hit ’em with the old Pea Beu!

Subject: Wood Processing (Wesbeam) Agreement Bill 2002 [Legislative Council - Second Reading]

Date: 25 September 2002

Hansard reference: pp. 1543b - 1553a [online (pdf)]

Tags: state government, parliament, wa, perth, bob the builder

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

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)]

Tags: wa, state government, perth, parliament, ian thorpe

Not caned but able

Hon FRANK HOUGH: [...] A perpetrator does not wake up one morning and say “I am going to be a thief because I need the money”. Most perpetrators have probably come through school having nicked things. If I got out earlier enough I used to go through everyone’s school bags at lunchtime because mum would give me only vegemite sandwiches. If someone had ham and cheese sandwiches I used to grab them and replace them with my vegemite sandwiches. I am a justice of the peace. I do not even have a traffic charge recorded against my name. I do not have a criminal record. I thought I would tell members that.

Several members interjected.

Hon FRANK HOUGH: If I have to do time for that vegemite sandwich, so be it! If I am sent forth to get one lash of the cane for what I did at school, I am prepared to accept it.

Hon John Fischer: I believe the President of the Parliament probably has the power to act on that!

The PRESIDENT: Order! I am sure we have a committee to deal with such a matter.

Subject: Convicted Offenders, Corporal Punishment [Legislative Council - Motion]

Date: 11 June 2003

Hansard reference: pp. 8558b - 8563a [online (pdf)]

Tags: parliament, state government, perth, wa, corporal punishment