Page 1253 - Week 05 - Thursday, 4 June 2020
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livelihoods; it is about the viability of clubs and it is also about the ongoing viability of many of the small businesses that are associated with and service them. As Mr Coe pointed out, for many of those businesses, just saying, “Wait for another two, three, four or five weeks,” means that is it. It is curtains; it is over; it is done.
It is easy to arrive at a conclusion that the Chief Minister is picking winners in this space. It is very easy, sitting on the sidelines, to arrive at a conclusion that the Chief Minister is deciding which businesses succeed and which ones fail. We all know that the Chief Minister has a disdain for clubs. We know that. It is abundantly clear that he looks down his nose at anyone who enjoys having a punt. He does not have a bet. He does not do it, so why would anyone else do it? Why would anyone else do it?
In the last week we have had proof of this disdain because Mr Barr stated very clearly to the media that there were many better ways to spend your time and money than on the poker machines. Sitting at poker machines was not one of the chief’s acceptable pastimes. I wonder if there is a list of pastimes that are acceptable to the Chief Minister, and I reckon there probably is. I am just thinking out loud: probably on a whiteboard somewhere upstairs in this building there is a list of pastimes that are acceptable to the Chief Minister. Pastimes that are acceptable to the Chief Minister: drinking craft beer—tick. That would be there. Going to funky music festivals: tick. That would be on it. Drinking coffee at funky cafes: tick. That would be on it, particularly if it is a completely vegan soy latte. That would be a double tick.
I am not sure if barbecuing a steak would be on the list. It might have been on the list once, but things have changed a little in that space and barbecuing a steak is probably falling down the list a little these days. I am tipping that going to the Black Opal race day—
Mr Barr: A point of order.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Cody): Mr Barr, on a point of order.
Mr Barr: As interesting as Mr Parton’s observations and fantasies are about what I may or may not enjoy, none of which are accurate, it is not in any way related to the motion that is before the Assembly.
MR PARTON: On the point of order, I would argue that it is extremely relevant, based on the comments that Mr Barr has made in the media about what is a worthwhile way to spend your money. It is extremely relevant.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: On the point of order, I agree with Mr Barr that your speech, Mr Parton, is not relevant to the motion we are debating. If you could be more relevant, it would be much appreciated.
MR PARTON: Right.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Would you like to continue?
MR PARTON: I will have a crack at continuing.
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