Major achievements delivered by 39th Parliament

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

• ​Business as usual until caretaker mode

Laws making life tougher for criminals, enhanced protection for Western Australia's unique plants and wildlife and recognition of Noongar people as the traditional owners of land in the South-West were among 155 Bills passed by the 39th Parliament of Western Australia.

Premier Colin Barnett said the final session of the Legislative Council last night signalled the end of business in both houses of this session of Parliament, meaning Bills not passed by both houses must be reintroduced in the next session. 

Mr Barnett said until the State Government went into caretaker mode - likely in early February 2017 - it would be Government as usual.

"The Liberal National Government and the public service will keep working hard on Government business right up to the time when caretaker provisions are invoked," he said.

The Premier said he believed legislation passed by State Parliament in its current term would make life safer for many West Australians.

"The Government delivered tough new laws making it easier to permanently confiscate vehicles of hoon drivers, introduced minimum jail terms for offenders for serious physical or sexual assault during a home burglary and mandatory sentencing for people who assault police," he said.

"Landmark legislation overhauling family violence laws will also ensure victims of family violence will be better protected by our justice system."

Mr Barnett said another key achievement of the 39th Parliament was expanded compulsory third party insurance to care for people catastrophically injured in motor accidents.

During the course of the 39th Parliament, 83 Acts were repealed.  Many of these were repealed during the State Government's red tape reduction week while some were repealed because they were replaced by more modern legislation.

The Premier acknowledged the hard work and contribution of several members who were retiring from State Parliament including Dawesville MLA Kim Hames, Bunbury MLA John Castrilli, Wagin MLA Terry Waldron and Kalgoorlie MLA Wendy Duncan.

Fact File

• The Legislative Assembly sat for 81 weeks and the Legislative Council sat for 75 weeks
• The Liberal National Government responded to about 9139 Questions without Notice in both Houses and 10,481 Questions with Notice