Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas questions Police Minister Reece Whitby's commitment to community safety, alleging he prioritises UFC and Italian soccer. The Minister dismisses the question as ridiculous and defends his role in promoting tourism.

⏳ Awaiting AnswerQoN 289Legislative Assembly
Asked
14 May 2026
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

Violent crime289.Mr Basil Zempilasto
the Minister for Police:I have a
supplementary question. Can the minister explain why he spends more time on UFC
Fight Nights and Italian soccer than he does keeping our community safe?Several members
interjected.Mr Reece Whitby replied:Mr Speaker, what a
ridiculous question.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members! Minister, just wait, please. Yes,
Leader of the Opposition, I will be generous and say that that is very loosely
attached to your primary question.Mr Reece Whitby:Mr Speaker, you are right to query
that. It is a completely ridiculous question.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members!Mr Reece Whitby:I am actually proud of my role in
tourism in bringing people to Western Australia to spend their money and to
support the tourism industry in Western Australia, but what an absolutely puerile
question from the Leader of the Opposition. The answer is I don't!
Violent crime
289.Mr Basil Zempilasto
the Minister for Police:
I have a
supplementary question. Can the minister explain why he spends more time on UFC
Fight Nights and Italian soccer than he does keeping our community safe?
Several members
interjected.
Mr Reece Whitby replied:
Mr Speaker, what a
ridiculous question.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker:Members! Minister, just wait, please. Yes,
Leader of the Opposition, I will be generous and say that that is very loosely
attached to your primary question.
Mr Reece Whitby:Mr Speaker, you are right to query
that. It is a completely ridiculous question.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker:Members!
Mr Reece Whitby:I am actually proud of my role in
tourism in bringing people to Western Australia to spend their money and to
support the tourism industry in Western Australia, but what an absolutely puerile
question from the Leader of the Opposition. The answer is I don't!

AnswerView source ↗

This question is awaiting a response from the Minister.

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