I said it last year, and it didn’t really work out, but I’m willing to try again this year: content from Federal Parliament Hansard. The main reason it didn’t happen last year was the long time it took for the official, corrected Hansard to be made available online (as opposed to the proofs, which we try not to quote here). However, in particular when my work settles down and Queensland’s time zone matches that of the ACT, I will probably go back to covering Question Time on twitter to get more federal material. Well, maybe…
Ms JULIE BISHOP— [...] Mr Speaker, I congratulate you on your calm and measured demeanour. You have somewhat of a cult following among the afternoon question time devotees, and I have
had a number of emails about your considered judgments.Mr Billson— And how unnaturally handsome he is!
The SPEAKER— Order!
Ms JULIE BISHOP— Would you like me to take that intervention at that point?
The SPEAKER— No, I think we will let that ride.
Subject: Valedictories [House of Representatives]
Date: 26 November 2009
Hansard reference: p. 13036 [online (pdf)]
Hon JON FORD: [...] It seems that at this stage the Premier is in denial. All the messages are there for everybody concerned to see, but the Premier is still playing the hardline, hairy-chested view of the world.
Hon Phil Edman: Hairy-chested?
Hon Ken Travers: Are you implying that the Premier does not have a hairy chest? You seem to speak from knowledge.
The PRESIDENT: Order!
Hon JON FORD: That reflects the age difference between Hon Phil Edman and me. That was a very common term when I was a younger man, and I still use it.
Hon Ken Travers: Not that long ago!
Hon JON FORD: No, not that long ago.
Hon Ed Dermer: I am afraid that more hair on the chest seems to go with age.
Hon JON FORD: I must be careful, or I will start talking about flowers.
The PRESIDENT: Order! I think we will get back to James Price Point.
Hon JON FORD: We will—thank you, Mr President.
Subject: Kimberley Liquefied Natural Gas Project [Legislative Council - Motion]
Date: 15 October 2009
Hansard reference: p. 8099 [online (pdf)]
Mr R.F. JOHNSON: [...] Earlier I sought the permission of the Speaker to show members of the house some of the weapons that the police are taking from people in Northbridge and the central business district. I do not do this as a stunt. I was horrified when I saw these weapons this morning.
Ms M.M. Quirk: But I showed you some last year.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON: The member for Girrawheen did not show me anything like the weapon I am now holding up. This is a weapon that was taken from —
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON: They can sell them, but no longer to a juvenile.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: Members!
Ms M.M. Quirk: Do you call that a machete? That’s not a machete!
Mr R.F. JOHNSON: I call this a machete. I promise the member that mine is bigger than hers!
The SPEAKER: Member for Girrawheen, is that a real knife, or whatever you want to call it?
Ms M.M. Quirk: It is a machete, as I understand it, Mr Speaker. Fortunately, I purchased it last year for the purpose of private members’ legislation. I had permission at that time to show it in the chamber. I am sorry that I did not get that permission renewed. I understood that it was for the purpose of debate and that there would not be any issue. Of course, it is stored in secure circumstances when not in this chamber.
Subject: Acts Amendment (Weapons) Bill 2009 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]
Date: 11 November 2009
Hansard reference: pp. 8801 – 8802 [online (pdf)]
Mr M. McGOWAN: [...] During question time, the Minister for Police referred to types of weapons; I am sure he will wave some of them about shortly! Mr Speaker, your indulgence in that regard was perhaps the only blemish on your time in the chair, by allowing the member for Hillarys to bring dangerous weapons into this place! We will know within an hour whether it was a good or bad decision. It brings to mind the fact that the government and opposition are separated by only two and a half sword lengths; the only problem is that I do not have a sword! I suppose we are all at the mercy of the Minister for Police because of the weapons he has in his possession at the moment, although I suspect that most of us would be faster than he is and would probably escape!
Mr R.F. Johnson: I wouldn’t bet on it!
Mr M. McGOWAN: I am pretty sure I could get to the mace before the minister could get to me!
Subject: Acts Amendment (Weapons) Bill 2009 [Legislative Assembly - Second Reading]
Date: 11 November 2009
Hansard reference: p. 8796 [online (pdf)]
Mr R.F. JOHNSON: [...] I will be bringing into the chamber later today just two or three weapons from those that are on display because I want members to see the types of weapons that people are carrying in Northbridge and the CBD. I will bring in only two or three, because I think any more than that would be a stunt, and I am not looking to do a stunt. However, I want people to see —
Several members interjected.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON: I can with the Speaker’s permission.
Mr M. McGowan: It’s inappropriate behaviour.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON: Members of the Labor Party have done it.
Mr M. McGowan: Yes, but you’re dangerous.
Subject: Weapons – Confiscation Legislation [Legislative Assembly - Questions Without Notice]
Date: 11 November 2009
Hansard reference: p. 8791 [online (pdf)]
This marks the 400th post on Houses & Motions, and so to ‘celebrate’, here’s a highlight from the archives of the WA Legislative Council. It’s a trifle long, but it’s a bit different, doesn’t involve Rob Johnson, and I think it’s worth it (possibly).
Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: [...] At this point I seek leave to table a number of items for the balance of the day, one of which is the fax machine that I have in front of me. The documents that I will seek leave to table are inside the fax machine. In fact, the fax machine is out of order, and I do not know what the procedure is for tabling a document that is actually caught in a fax machine that does not work.
The PRESIDENT: Perhaps the honourable member would resume his seat. He is proposing to seek leave to table a fax machine. It would be a historic event if leave were granted, and it is historic to seek leave to table a fax machine. However, before the member can do anything further, the house must give him leave. Perhaps if the member puts the fax machine down, he can seek leave, and I will ask the house whether leave is granted. It is a matter for the house. The honourable member seeks leave to table the fax machine that is in front of him.
Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: In fact, I seek leave to table the documents that are trapped inside the fax machine because it is out of order.
The PRESIDENT: Very well. The honourable member is seeking the leave of the house to table the documents inside the fax machine, with the fax machine, because he cannot take the documents out of it.
Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: Exactly.
The PRESIDENT: To do that, the member needs the leave of the house. The member may have other items he wishes to table, but I will put that proposition to the house.
Point of Order
Hon GEORGE CASH: Is it intended that the fax machine be tabled in the normal manner – that is, filed by the Parliament to be the property of the Parliament – or for the balance of the day?
The PRESIDENT: I think the member said that it would be for the balance of this sitting day. Is that the case, honourable member?
Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: That is right, because I would like to see whether I can have it repaired so that I can get the documents out of it.
The PRESIDENT: I will put the question as well as I can at this historic moment. The honourable member seeks the leave of the house to table the fax machine and the documents inside the fax machine until the end of this day’s sitting.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN: As a point of procedure, Mr President, I think it is the documents that are the key matter. If we do not have access to the documents, I wonder whether there is much point in doing this. I do not think we have the capacity to take apart the fax machine, particularly if the honourable member wants to get it repaired. We do not want to do further damage to it. Perhaps the member could be given leave to table the documents when they are recovered from the fax machine or at some later stage. I am raising this issue to try to help. However, I am perfectly happy to participate in the tabling of a fax machine, if that will help.
The PRESIDENT: The matter before the house is the proposition that a fax machine containing documents be tabled until the end of this sitting day. If leave is not granted and at some later stage the honourable member is able to get the documents out of his fax machine, he can at that later stage seek the leave of the house to table those documents. However, this is a matter for the house. I am just pointing out that it is a historic and somewhat unusual occasion.
Debate Resumed
The PRESIDENT: I will put the proposition. I ask the house whether leave is granted.
Leave denied.
The PRESIDENT: The member may continue his remarks.
Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: Is there another way of doing this?
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT: Hon Paul Llewellyn has the call and he is speaking to the motion that he has moved.
Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: Without wishing to distract the house from its important business, this fax machine of the Greens (WA), representatives of the Parliament of Western Australia, is out of order. This machine was bequeathed to the Greens, I believe, by the Premier of the state. Ever since we have had this fax machine, it has given us a lot of trouble.
Several members interjected.
Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: Other matters relate to the symbolism of having been given a fax machine that is out of order or -
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: You’re supposed to get it fixed when it breaks down. That’s the whole idea.
Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: I must tell the Minister for Education and Training that we have tried to fix this fax machine on a number of occasions. In fact, it has been dysfunctional. However, that is not the point I wish to make. This is an analogy for the way in which members of this house are resourced by the Parliament of Western Australia. I am conscious of the fact that the Minister for Education and Training would be highly resourced as a minister of the state and would have many staff members -
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: I actually don’t have my own fax machine. I’d kill for that fax machine!
The PRESIDENT: That would be highly disorderly!
Hon Simon O’Brien: Sell her the fax machine!
Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: I was just about to get to the point that this fax machine is the minister’s -
Several members interjected.Hon PAUL LLEWELLYN: The minister can have this fax machine if she guarantees me that any important documents that have been lost in its memory will remain the property of the Greens. In fact, faxes from our electorate offices are sent to this machine at Parliament House. I have spent many hours standing by the machine, at its mercy, waiting for it to transmit documents so that I can fulfil my obligations as a member of this house. However, it is out of order. For a hundred bucks, you can have it.
The PRESIDENT: The member should address his remarks through the Chair. I assure him that the President is not interested in purchasing a fax machine for a hundred bucks or anything else!
Subject: Members of Parliament, Constituents’ Access and Representation [Legislative Council - Motion]
Date: 9 November 2005
Hansard reference: pp. 6937 – 6938 [online (pdf)]
HON KATE DOUST (South Metropolitan — Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [5.41 pm]: [...] To the Leader of the House, Hon Norman Moore, we thank you. It has been an interesting experience. We know that the Leader of the House enjoys being back on the government benches. I will say, though, that sometimes he needs to remember that he has actually won, and just enjoy it.
Hon Norman Moore: I do enjoy it very much.
Hon KATE DOUST: Yes, but the Leader of the House needs to chill out a little bit and enjoy it.
Hon Norman Moore: I promise you that will happen next week!
Hon KATE DOUST: I will talk to the Leader of the House about that later!
Subject: Adjournment of the House [Legislative Council - Special]
Date: 1 December 2009
Hansard reference: p. 10201 [online (pdf)]
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN: [...] I have sat in this very place and responded time and again during the formal budget estimates hearings. I have been over the road at the committee office, I think, to respond to questions about this. Just recently there was a separate hearing, with officers from the Department of Transport being grilled by our friendly Rottweilers on the bench opposite as they attempted to sustain —
Hon Ken Travers: Great Danes.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: And I want to be a Dalmatian!
Hon Ken Travers: I’m a Great Dane and she’s a Dalmatian!
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN: All right. I am a dog lover, so let the record show that there is a sense of goodwill and good cheer as these casual remarks are flying around the chamber. However, because I upset my good friend Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich yesterday with some remark about knuckles, if I were to adopt the member’s view that she is a bit like a Dalmatian, I do so in a very affectionate way, but, for the purposes of the record, I am not referring in any way to her Dalmatian’s gender! Okay; I want to make that quite clear.
The PRESIDENT: Order! I think we are talking about parking fees for vehicles, motorcycles and so on, not dogs.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN: Okay. I think we need to conclude very quickly; there may be other speakers. The only way I can bring the debate back to the streetscape of parking bays is by dragging a fire hydrant or something into it, so I will not go there.
Subject: Perth Parking Management Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2009 – Disallowance [Legislative Council - Motion]
Date: 26 November 2009
Hansard reference: p. 9910 [online (pdf)]
At the end of this quote, Hon. Ken Travers and Hon. Giz Watson mention an exchange from several years ago that has not yet been featured here – as we hit 400 posts next week, we’ll be reaching into the WA Legislative Council archives for that historic moment (warning: it may be a little long).
HON GIZ WATSON (North Metropolitan) [12.45 pm]: I rise to make some comments about the Criminal Code Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2009, which amends the Criminal Code with regard to offences that involve throwing objects at or placing objects in front of vehicles and also the use of laser printers —
Hon Michael Mischin: Pointers.
Hon GIZ WATSON: What did I say?
Hon Michael Mischin: Printers.
Hon GIZ WATSON: Oh, my goodness!
Hon Ken Travers: You tend to throw them rather than point them.
Hon GIZ WATSON: That is a worry. I have obviously been here way too long today! Laser printers are more common than laser pointers.
Hon Liz Behjat: And you can’t throw them either!
Hon GIZ WATSON: Laser printers? Let me tell members that, yes, they can be thrown.
Hon Ken Travers: The Greens could probably table one as well if you asked them!
Hon GIZ WATSON: No, that is only fax machines. I thank members for the correction.
Subject: Criminal Code Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2009 [Legislative Council - Second Reading]
Date: 26 November 2009
Hansard reference: p. 9871 [online (pdf)]
HON MAX TRENORDEN (Agricultural) [9.42 pm]: Like you, Mr Deputy President, I decided that I would not participate in this debate, but in listening to the drivel from members, I found an overwhelming desire to do so.
Point of Order
Hon SALLY TALBOT: Hon Max Trenorden might be used to a different set of rules, but I do not think “drivel” is a parliamentary term in this place.
Hon Robyn McSweeney: It should be.
Hon SALLY TALBOT: Yes, there are occasions.
The DEPUTY PRESIDENT (Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm): I think I will let Hon Max Trenorden continue. The intent of the comment was not disparaging or pointed at any member in particular. Hon Max Trenorden,
continue please.Debate Resumed
Hon MAX TRENORDEN: Thank you, Mr Deputy President.
Hon Ken Travers: Just get on with your drivel, Max!
Hon MAX TRENORDEN: There is my handkerchief; Hon Ken Travers can wipe his chin first!
Subject: Royalties for Regions Bill 2009 [Legislative Council - Second Reading]
Date: 25 November 2009
Hansard reference: p. 9724 [online (pdf)]
