Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Rope barriers at Western Australia’s parliament draw criticism
At Western Australia’s parliament, staff installed rope barriers to keep journalists back from MPs entering the building.
The barriers went up after Labor colleagues shielded Riverton MP Jagadish Krishnan from reporters, and several MPs criticised the new setup.
The incident followed questions about Krishnan’s business dealings and parliamentary disclosures.
He is being sued in the United States over allegations that he failed to repay a million-dollar loan, which he says he will vigorously defend.
Krishnan said he had taken legal advice and was confident his parliamentary declarations were in order, and that outstanding matters would be resolved when the sale of his doctors’ surgeries settled.
The controversy matters because reporters lost the chance to question him directly, and the barriers raised concerns about transparency.
The opposition tried to force an inquiry into the issues, but the attempt was described as ill-fated.
Rope barriers were installed at Western Australia’s parliament to keep journalists from getting too close to MPs entering the building.
The barriers drew criticism after media had been prevented from questioning Labor MP Jagadish Krishnan as he entered parliament.
The premier’s office said a staff member had asked two unnamed MPs to support Krishnan on his way in.
Opposition leader Basil Zempilas said the government showed contempt for transparency.
Krishnan said he was selling a network of doctors’ surgeries and was confident his parliamentary declarations were in order.
- Who
- Western Australia’s government and parliamentary staff installed the barriers; journalists and opposition leader Basil Zempilas criticised the move.
- What
- Rope barriers were placed at parliament’s entrance to separate MPs from the media.
- When
- The barriers were installed the day after Wednesday’s incident involving Jagadish Krishnan.
- Where
- Western Australia’s parliament.
- Why
- They were seemingly intended to prevent journalists from getting too close to MPs as they entered the building.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Labor MPs tried to shepherd Jagadish Krishnan past waiting media and into parliament.
Parliamentary staff installed rope barriers at the entrance.
Krishnan said he was in the final process of selling his network of doctors’ surgeries during an opposition bid to force an inquiry.
- Location
- Western Australia’s parliament
- Labor MP
- Jagadish Krishnan, the member for Riverton
- Barrier purpose
- To prevent journalists from getting too close to MPs entering the building
- Opposition leader
- Basil Zempilas
What people are saying
This is now a government with total contempt for transparency
ashamed of yourselves
I have taken legal advice about my parliamentary declarations and I am confident that these are in order