Government shuts down debate on cocaine sex scandal report clearing Mark Turner of wrongdoing

PARLIAMENT LIVE: The government has used its numbers to cut short a debate about a report into the Cocaine Sex Scandal, prompting outcry.

THE government has used its numbers to shut down a parliamentary debate on the Privileges Committee report into disgraced MLA Mark Turner.

The report over Mr Turner’s involvement in the Cocaine Sex Scandal, and whether he misled parliament, was published in November.

There is no suggestion Mr Turner took any illicit substances.

But the opposition cried foul over the report, arguing in its dissenting report that the government used its three-two advantage in Privileges to disregard a number of pieces of evidence.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner used the government’s numbers advantage to shut down debate. Picture: Che Chorley

The report cleared Mr Turner of any wrongdoing.

In parliament on Thursday, Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley sought to highlight that the report was not tabled by the government in parliament as soon as possible, as required.

Mr Maley, who is a member of the Privileges Committee, sought to table the report while calling it a “disappointment”.

“It represents the cavalier attitude of the Labor government when it comes to key core values like honesty, integrity and accountability,” he said.

Blain MLA Mark Turner was cleared of wrongdoing in the report. Photograph: Che Chorley

Mr Maley said “this report hasn’t been tabled, it has been published out of session”.

But Chief Minister Michael Gunner moved to stop the opposition speaking to the matter, using standing orders to force a vote on whether the matter should be heard.

The government used its raw numbers advantage to end the debate.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro was heard yelling “shame on you” at Mr Gunner, before the Speaker Ngaree Ah Kit urged her to withdraw the comments.

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