Police Recruitment

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): Supplementary: can the minister please explain why the Police Association, a key stakeholder and a union that he values—and we all value the contribution they make—was sent bills significantly different to the ones that were tabled in parliament less than 48 hours later?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:22): Of course, it is entirely appropriate that the Attorney-General puts bills before the parliament for its consideration—that is an open and transparent public process. There are plenty of opportunities for the Police Association to be able to express a view to the Attorney-General regarding those bills once they see them.

Naturally, of course, a copy may have been provided to the Police Association which was amended subsequently because of, maybe, other representations that were made. There may have been representations made by the police commissioner or others. Of course, I know the Attorney-General shares my view, that if the Police Association or any other key stakeholder in the community would like to make representations about a bill that is before the parliament, then they are welcome to do so, and I am pretty confident that the Attorney-General would share my view about the Police Association being a stakeholder that is entitled to be able to express a view.