Embattled Minister Roger Jaensch dodges committee probe after parliamentary ‘lie’

Opposition parties have stepped up their pursuit of Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch with another day of questioning, avoiding a referral to the Privileges Committee. LATEST >>

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EMBATTLED Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch has avoided a referral to the Privileges Committee over claims he lied to parliament.

Mr Jaensch is being pursued by opposition parties for claiming he was unaware of a cabinet decision about tenancy laws.

In the House of Assembly this morning, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the minister needed to be held to account.

The move was dismissed by the government as “a stunt”.

There has been three attempts to bring motions of no confidence motions in Mr Jaensch this week, all of which have failed.

Ms O’Connor said the matter was not over.

Liberal MP Roger Jaensch during question time in State Parliament. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“We are not going to allow a minister who willingly misled the house off the hook,” she said.

“Minister Jaensch knowingly told an untruth in relation to a government decision.

“The minister knew that a decision had been made and yet he stood up at the lectern that day and he said ‘I am not aware of any decisions’.

“Our confidence was tested and on the numbers his house allegedly has confidence in Mr Jaensch.

“We know Mr Jaensch misled parliament, the pub test tells us that Mr Jaensch misled parliament.”

Mr O’Connor said Mr Jaensch faces a $40 fine or being banished to the basement of the parliament building for a bit if found to have misled the house.

Leader of Government Business Michael Ferguson accused opposition parties of conspiring to disrupt the working of the parliament with “cruel and personal attacks”.

“What has happened on numerous occasions this week, Ms O’Connor and Ms White, who are clearly working together and you’ve clearly been voting together,” he said.

“The house is being asked again, for the third day in a row to disrupt proceedings.

“It’s so obvious, they can deny it all they like, we’ve had multiple occasions this week. The government won’t be supporting this seeking of leave motion.”

Labor leader Rebecca White said her party supported the referral.

“This is entirely the appropriate thing to do when there are breaches of the code of conduct. Otherwise why do we have them?” she said.

“In the Westminster system of government there is no more serious charge than misleading the parliament.

“The only way for the premier to deal with it is to refer it to the Privileges Committee.”

The motion was defeated 13-11.

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