FROM THE HILL: After the speaker threatened to close down question time early it was all about fuel.
Standing order 82 came to the rescue of a rankled speaker of parliament Stephen Price on Thursday, as he opened the chamber up for question time with a new threat.
“I’d like to draw everyone’s attention to standing order 82,” he said, before MPs and ministers could be seen flicking through the bedside best seller.
“It says questions without notice may be asked for a period determined by the speaker.
“So, I have full control and flexibility about how long it lasts and how many questions you’ll get. So, bare that in mind.”
While walking into parliament, Mr Price also revealed his displeasure with the Attorney-General Tony Buti, who accused the speaker and acting speakers of failing to control the member for Central Wheatbelt, Nationals MP Lachlan Hunter.
“It’s not the sort of behaviour I would expect,” the speaker told reporters.
Reporter: Have you spoken to Tony about that?
Speaker: Yes, I have.
Apart from standing order 82, the latest question time was dominated by the three “fs”.
Fuel, fertilizer and fearmongering.
The opposition continued to allege Premier Roger Cook had been dismissive of fuel shortage concerns in the regions.
“What specific steps are you taking to ensure petrol stations are not taking advantage of the current situation?” asked opposition leader Basil Zempilas.
The premier replied by saying WA had Fuelwatch to inform consumers about pricing around the state before conceding there weren’t many other options.
“Can we stop the wholesale price of crude oil going up?” the premier asked rhetorically.
“No, we can’t.
“Can we stop the wholesale price of fuel going up? No, we can’t.”
Mr Cook then repeated his allegation that the opposition was spreading fear by talking about fuel tanks running dry.
“Please, just get on the right side of history,” the premier pleaded.
“Remember the last time you said that?” goaded Mr Zempilas, referring to the government’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act backflip.
From the Hill is happy to report that standing order 82 wasn’t required.
