- WA Legislative Assembly/Legislative Council business has ceased for 2012
- Prorogation proclaimed by the Governor on the advice of Executive Council
Premier Colin Barnett this morning announced that the Western Australian Parliament had been prorogued by the Governor, terminating all business in both houses of this session of Parliament.
This means Bills not passed by both houses must be reintroduced in the next session. While standing committees appointed by either house still exist, they may not meet and do business. Select committees cease to exist.
Mr Barnett said until the State Government went into caretaker mode - likely in early February - it would be Government as usual.
"The State Government and the public service will keep working hard on Government business right up to the time when caretaker provisions are invoked. It will be proper business as usual," he said.
The Premier said since forming Government in 2008, 235 Government Acts had been passed into law, including 61 Bills this year such as Sunday trading laws; paedophile register laws; electronic monitoring of dangerous sex offenders; laws to enhance the legal protections for police officers in pursuits; as well as legislation to rename Foundation Day to Western Australia Day.
Mr Barnett said several pieces of legislation the Government had not been able to conclude in this term (such as prostitution law reform; Corruption and Crime Commission changes; the Mental Health Bill and the lobbyist register) would be priorities when Parliament resumed next year.
The Premier acknowledged the hard work of several members who were retiring from Parliament, including MLAs Hon Dr Elizabeth Constable, Hon Eric Ripper, Hon Tom Stephens, Hon John Kobelke, Hon Christian Porter, John Bowler, Carol Martin and Martin Whitely.
Fact File
This year the Government has responded to 2,096 questions on notice and more than 720 questions without notice in the Legislative Assembly
Since coming into office in 2008, the Government has responded to 15,221 questions on notice and 7,870 questions without notice (total: 23,091)
Premier's office - 6552 5000
