A report said a plan for Labor backbenchers to form a human shield around embattled Riverton MP Dr Jags Krishnan as he entered parliament on Wednesday was hatched in the premier’s office without Cook’s knowledge. Journalists tried to ask Krishnan about alleged debts. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas called the scenes outrageous, while a motion to stand up the Procedure and Privileges Committee to probe Krishnan’s debts and disclosures was defeated.
On Wednesday, government whip Terry Healey, Cockburn MP David Scaife and upper house MPs Pierre Yang and Kate Doust surrounded Krishnan as he arrived at parliament to a waiting press pack. Healey asked journalists if they had attended a remembrance ceremony, while Scaife called the reporters “a disgrace”. Krishnan stopped briefly to say he would not make a statement until the sale of his GP business, Spectrum Health Group, was settled.
Cook initially described the events as “not ideal” and said he had repeatedly urged de-escalation since the attack on Helen Haines. Later, he suggested the media were impeding the MPs’ entry into parliament, saying members should be able to enter the building without being impeded. He said he admired the four MPs for supporting their colleague. On Thursday, parliament staff placed velvet barriers outside the south entrance to prevent press from approaching MPs at the doorstop area.
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas called the scenes “outrageous”, accusing the government of damage control and disrespect for using Remembrance Day as a ruse. When asked in parliament whether he supported his “disgrace” remark, Scaife nodded, but later apologised, saying the comment was made in the heat of the moment.
Housing Minister John Carey and Police Minister Reece Whitby, both former journalists, distanced themselves from the behaviour. Whitby described it as silly and said it should not have happened; Carey said it was not preferable and affirmed the right of the media to access politicians.
Inside parliament, the opposition moved to stand up the Procedure and Privileges Committee to examine Krishnan’s debts and disclosures. Zempilas read comments from the Perth doctor who allegedly loaned Krishnan $300,000 about the doctor’s attempts to be repaid. Krishnan reiterated that all outstanding matters would be resolved upon settlement of his business in the months ahead, and said disputes are currently before the courts. He stated he had taken legal advice about his parliamentary declarations and was confident they were in order.
Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti argued the opposition had brought no new evidence and had not addressed the motion it put forward, and the move was defeated.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident raises questions about the conduct and transparency of the WA Labor government.
- It highlights ongoing tensions between the media and political figures over access and accountability.
- The failed opposition motion underscores the government’s control over parliamentary scrutiny of its own MPs.
Background
Krishnan has faced scrutiny over alleged debts, including a $300,000 loan from a Perth doctor and a $1 million lawsuit in New Jersey. He has not disclosed any debts to parliament beyond noting a loan with “CBA”. The events took place on Remembrance Day, adding a further element of controversy.
Key Perspectives
Roger Cook: said the events were “not ideal” but later argued the media were impeding MPs and said he admired the four MPs for supporting their colleague.
Basil Zempilas: condemned the scenes as “outrageous”, accusing the government of damage control and disrespect on Remembrance Day.
David Scaife: initially called reporters “a disgrace” but later apologised, saying it was said in the heat of the moment.
Reece Whitby: called the behaviour “silly” and said it should not have happened.
John Carey: described the scenes as “not preferable” and affirmed the right of the media to access politicians.
Jags Krishnan: said he would make a statement when matters are settled, that disputes are before the courts, and that his parliamentary declarations are in order.
What to Watch
- Whether Krishnan’s business sale settles and the alleged debts are resolved.
- Further opposition attempts to bring the matter before a parliamentary committee.
- Potential changes to media access arrangements at the WA Parliament following the installation of velvet barriers.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe plan for a Krishnan ‘protection team’ was hatched in the premier’s office without Roger Cook’s knowledge.The Age - Latest News: “A plan for Labor backbenchers to form a human shield around embattled Riverton MP Dr Jags Krishnan as he entered parliament on Wednesday was hatched in the premier’s office without Roger Cook’s knowledge.”
- SupportedThe opposition motion to establish the Procedure and Privileges Committee to probe Krishnan’s debts and disclosures was defeated.The Age - Latest News: “Inside parliament, the opposition’s motion to stand up the powerful Procedure and Privileges Committee failed.”
- SupportedDavid Scaife later apologised for calling reporters “a disgrace”, saying it was said in the heat of the moment.The Age - Latest News: “When Zempilas asked Scaife in parliament on Thursday morning whether he supported his “disgrace” comments, he nodded his head, but rose a few hours later to apologise for the remark, saying he regretted making it, and it was said in the heat of the moment.”
- SupportedThe doctor who allegedly loaned Krishnan $300,000 had been trying to get the money repaid.The Age - Latest News: “including a $300,000 loan from a Perth doctor who had been pleading with Krishnan to repay the money”
- SupportedOn Wednesday, Healey, Scaife, Yang and Doust surrounded Krishnan as he arrived at parliament.The Age - Latest News: “government whip Terry Healey, Cockburn MP David Scaife and upper house MPs Pierre Yang and Kate Doust surrounded Krishnan to push through the press pack towards the south entrance door.”
- SupportedHealey asked journalists whether they had attended a remembrance ceremony.The Age - Latest News: “Healey asked journalists, “Did you have a chance to go to the remembrance ceremony today?””
- SupportedScaife called the reporters “a disgrace”.The Age - Latest News: “while Scaife called the reporters “a disgrace”.”
- SupportedKrishnan said he would not make a statement until the sale of his GP business was settled.The Age - Latest News: “Krishnan himself stopped and told press he wasn’t going to make a statement, but would do when all was settled – referring to the settlement of the current sale of the GP business he co-founded, Spectrum Health Group.”
- SupportedCook initially called the events “not ideal” and said he had repeatedly urged people to lower the temperature since the attack on Helen Haines.The Age - Latest News: “Cook himself was unaware that a member of his staff had called on MPs to support Krishnan, and in a statement said what happened yesterday was “not ideal”. “I’ve said repeatedly since the attack on Helen Haines we need to all take the temperature down,” he said.”
- SupportedLater, Cook suggested the media were impeding the MPs’ entry and said members of parliament should be able to enter without being impeded.The Age - Latest News: “members of Parliament should be able to enter the building without being impeded by anyone.”
- SupportedParliament staff placed velvet barriers outside the south entrance on Thursday to prevent press approaching members where doorstop interviews are traditionally held.The Age - Latest News: “On Thursday morning, parliament staff placed velvet barriers outside the south entrance to prevent press from approaching elected members at the south entrance doors where “doorstop” interviews are traditionally held.”
- SupportedZempilas called Wednesday’s scenes outrageous and accused the government of damage control and disrespect for using Remembrance Day as a ruse.The Age - Latest News: ““This is a government very clearly now in damage control. The wheels have fallen off this government. That action yesterday was appalling,” he said. “To use one of their bigger members of parliament to barge a path through this area, past journalists – very experienced journalists – and to use Remembrance Day somehow in the ruse. How totally disrespectful.””