Question Time

GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:03): Did the Premier direct the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council (Hon. Paul Holloway) to debate the WorkCover bill ahead of the bikie legislation, and, if so, does this reveal the Premier's true priorities? Yesterday, the Hon. Paul Holloway moved in the Legislative Council on behalf of the Premier and the government to postpone the Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Bill so that the government's number one priority, the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation (Scheme Review) Amendment Bill, could be debated first.

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:04): This is what is called an autumn reprise. Yesterday, I could see that the Leader of the Opposition was worried because the media was not here, so I will say exactly what I said yesterday. From memory, I said that both bills are our priority. My challenge to the Liberals, the Democrats and all the other rats and mice in the upper house is to pass the bikies bill and pass the WorkCover bill this week. Here is your chance to show that you are fair dinkum.

For the last six years, the Liberals have demonstrated that they are soft on law and order. So, my message to the Liberals is this: show you are fair dinkum on law and order, and vote for our bikies bill, and show you are fair dinkum in terms of financial responsibility and vote for the WorkCover bill. No ifs, no buts, no alibis, no excuses: vote this week to pass both bits of legislation. Have the guts to support our stand on law and order. Instead of being soft on law and order, get behind us. Vote for the bikies bill and vote for the WorkCover bill.