Polling Booth Staffing

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:07): Which government guideline allows taxpayers' money to be spent on staff at polling booths at federal elections?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (15:07): I don't accept the premise of the question. I don't have any awareness of whether any members of these community groups, the community group itself, were participating directly in that way in the election campaign. I simply have indicated the nature of our support for this campaign and the fact that we support community groups that pursue it. If it has the unfortunate effect of damaging the interests of the Liberal Party, then own it. Just own the fact that you are out there cutting $435 million in funding. Don't come bleating in here because somebody has called you on it and somebody is going to campaign against you on it. Don't come in here doing the bidding of Senator Birmingham because he's got an upset feeling.

I can tell you why this debate is occurring, Mr Speaker. This debate is occurring because the community group designed an app. The app requires that you type in a school and then it pops up, and in the case of the member for Dunstan he should know that Trinity Gardens comes up with an $839,000 cut—a $839,000 cut to the Trinity Gardens primary school. That's why—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order: standing order 98. The question was about the guidelines allowing taxpayers' money to be spent on staffing polling booths for the Labor Party.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order.

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Newland is warned for the second and final time.