PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:17): Supplementary question, Madam Speaker. If the Premier is now telling the house that we cannot believe what senior public servants tell the estimates committees and that we cannot believe—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr WILLIAMS: —the government's own budget papers, what can we believe from this government?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order, Madam Speaker. It is absolutely plainly argument to start a question with, 'If he says this' and 'If he says that'.

Mr Williams: He just said it.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: To channel the member for Davenport—it might be a hypothetical if it starts with 'if', according to the member for Davenport. That was plainly argument and contrary to standing order 97.

The SPEAKER: It certainly was a very hypothetical question.

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order, Madam Speaker. I find it offensive that the Minister for Transport is trying to instruct the Speaker on how to go about her job.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Finniss; I can stand up for myself. I consider that it was a very hypothetical question but, Premier, do you want to answer it?

Mr WILLIAMS: On a point of clarification, Madam Speaker—

The SPEAKER: The Premier has agreed to answer the question, member for MacKillop. I gave him the option. You asked the question.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (15:18): I think that really a deficit exists here. If those opposite cannot read and understand budget papers, if they cannot elicit evidence from a public servant and understand the purport of that evidence, we cannot help them. I think the truth is that we need those opposite to be fit for opposition before they can offer themselves to be an alternative government.

Mr WILLIAMS: A further supplementary, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: I considered that last one a question, but you can have another question.