Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
You and your government are working hard to lock in votes for the stadium. It was a clever move to offer the Independent member for McIntyre the position and trappings of Leader for Government Business in the Legislative Council. That would seem to be a certain vote for the stadium. Given Labor’s capitulation following a bit of hand wringing after the TPC report, it’s clear the stadium will live or die in the upper house.
Have you or any member of your government or their staff been in discussions with any other Independents in either house about funding projects in their electorate in the knowledge it could favourably influence their vote or in return for their vote? We’re asking you to be open about any inducements being offered to persuade Independents to vote for the stadium order against the advice and warning of the independent experts.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. First, can I say how much respect I have for the honourable member for McIntyre, Ms Rattray. She has been in this parliament for almost as long as I have, in actual fact, over 22 years, potentially. Very experienced. We had a leader of the upper House who retired, Leonie Hiscutt MLC, and I commend Leonie for her eight years of service as leader. I was delighted when I approached Ms Rattray to be a leader of the government in the other place – I shouldn’t be speaking about the Upper house in any detail except to say that Ms Rattray is free to vote however she wishes on any subject. As for other members or Independent members, they are also free to come to me or anyone in our team and advocate for the needs of their community. Surely, a vote on any particular issue should not prevent them from coming to us or to you for support to advocate for whatever projects or services they see are in desperate need of the community. I utterly reject the inference within your question. We will debate the merits of the stadium on its merits.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – The Premier rejected the inference of my question but not the substance of it. Did you offer, have you offered, or any staff, inducements to any Independent member in return for their vote for the stadium?
The SPEAKER – It does go to the original question, Premier.
Mr ROCKLIFF – No, I haven’t.
