Page 1527 - Week 05 - Thursday, 11 April 2013
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MS GALLAGHER: I thank Mr Smyth for the question. Again, I welcome the opposition’s interest in the matters around the size of the Assembly. They are not just around matters to do with the executive, although that is central to some of the discussions that need to be had. I hope that the opposition does take the opportunity seriously when the report is provided to it to genuinely engage on the issues of governance and size of the Assembly and not just choose the easy option, on someone else’s instruction, to play politics with it. It is easy to play politics with these matters, but if people and members of this place are genuinely interested in good governance and going forward—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: Every government in this place will need a backbench and every opposition will need a particular ratio of numbers and members. These are the genuine issues. I welcome the interest. It is easy to make fun of them. I am sure the easy option is to play politics with it.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: Mr Hanson, as I said, you have got more problems on your backbench than I would ever have on mine.
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, members!
Dr Bourke: On a point of order, Madam Speaker—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr Bourke has a point of order. Ms Gallagher take your seat.
Dr Bourke: There is so much noise coming from over there that I cannot hear what the Chief Minister is saying. Would you do something about it?
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Could you stop the clock, please? Order, members! Mr Hanson, I have called you to order on a number of occasions. Chief Minister, I will ask you to comply with the standing orders and address the chair and not debate with the opposition. It is unparliamentary. Dr Bourke is right. It is impossible to hear what is going on in here. Have you got an answer to the question?
MS GALLAGHER: I think I have answered the question.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Chris, you did not miss much. She did not endorse you, mate. Chief Minister, is it not true you cannot appoint another minister because no-one on your existing backbench is up to the job of being a minister?
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