Premier Mark McGowan said he was very disappointed with outcome of the Labor state conference, and on the same day has flagged a removal of an allowance perk for MPs.
Premier Mark McGowan said he was very disappointed with outcome of the Labor state conference, and on the same day has flagged a removal of an allowance perk for MPs.
Within the first five minutes of the event on Saturday, members of the Maritime Union of Australia and Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union walked out during a welcome to country and a tribute to former prime minister Bob Hawke.
It was sparked by an unsuccessful move to disqualify a delegate, who is a member of the MUA and did not meet sign-up requirements, leaving Mr McGowan to deliver his keynote speech to a largely empty room.
The dysfunction overshadowed his announcement to introduce industrial manslaughter legislation and more WorkSafe inspectors.
Mr McGowan described the walkout as unacceptable and said the actions of some MPs who participated, including Cassie Rowe and Samantha Rowe, showed a lack of consideration and judgment.
"I was disappointed in what occurred ... and I would expect people reflect on their conduct. I've spoken to some of them," Mr McGowan told reporters today.
"I work well with all our MPs and I think that they appreciate the government is trying to do the right thing by the people of WA."
Tensions continued into the second day of the conference when it took more than two hours to count votes for an MUA-led motion to keep Fremantle Port operational for a further 14 years, defying one of Labor's key election pledges to build a new port at Kwinana.
The motion was ultimately defeated by 23 votes.
Mr McGowan denied the party was split on the issue and pointed out the discord was witnessed because Labor allows the media to watch policy motions, unlike the Liberals and the Greens.
Also on Sunday, MUA and CFMEU officials refused to join in a standing ovation for party leader Anthony Albanese.
The two unions are backing Victorian CFMEU chief John Setka, who is accused of making disparaging remarks about anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty and was convicted for harassing his wife.
Mr Albanese wants him cast out of the party, and on Tuesday, Mr Setka's legal fight against his expulsion was thrown out of court.
Today, Mr McGowan also said he wants to remove a perk for MPs that allows them to pocket nearly $7,000 a year for travel, even if none is undertaken.
That's effectively a $27,000 pay rise over a four-year parliamentary term if the allowance isn't used as intended.
The premier wants to revert to the previous system known as Imprest, under which MPs had to seek approval before using the $6,750 per year allowance.
If it wasn't approved, the money stayed in the state's coffers.
But the independent Salaries and Allowances Tribunal changed the system in late 2016 so approval is no longer required and the cash is paid directly into MP bank accounts, where it remains even if no travel is undertaken.
Mr McGowan says he has written to the SAT asking for the Imprest system to be returned.
