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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-05-14 Daily Xml
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Coronavirus Restrictions

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question on the way that the government is complying with the COVID restrictions to the Leader of the Government.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: It will come as no surprise to anyone in this room or, indeed, hardly anyone in this state, that we currently have COVID-19 restrictions. These, of course, cover public gatherings, and according to the road map currently, as we have now passed 11 May, we have a one per four square metres policy per person, or a 10 maximum number on gatherings. How is the Marshall government complying with this with conducting their business, in particular press conferences and staff meetings and the like?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:06): We are endeavouring to comply to the greatest extent that we can. Whenever I see a press conference, I see people respectfully standing it looks like a good equivalent distance to four square metres away. I see the Minister for Health standing at a respectful distance behind either Professor Spurrier or the Premier each day as they alternate their positions. So, in relation to press conferences, that is certainly the case. From the media viewpoint, they have pooled their resources and generally might only have one or two cameras and one or two journalists there and they share their resources. When they don't, they respectfully space themselves out as well.

In terms of cabinet meetings, for example, we have extended the room, I suppose is the best way, for the Hon. Mr Maher who was previously in cabinet and the Hon. Mr Wortley. The cabinet room has been extended and so there is a much bigger area and ministers are spread around a particular table. So, to the extent that that's possible, ministers and staff and others are working their way in our offices. I can only speak for my own office. There are cubicles and areas where most of the staff are, again, respectfully placed.

Most of the meetings in recent times have been conducted through Microsoft Teams or Zoom or Webex or some similar device. Most of the meetings you have with interstate people and even local people these days are being done in that particular way. There are some who still continue to come in and have face-to-face meetings, but, again, to the extent that that can occur there is appropriate distancing being observed. If there is a particular issue that the member has in mind, I'm happy for her to ask by way of supplementary and seek advice on it.

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