A group of WA Labor MPs have attempted to shield one of their own from answering questions from the media in extraordinary scenes outside state parliament.
Questions about the business dealings of Riverton MP Jags Krishnan and his disclosures to parliament about his debts have been growing since it emerged he was being sued in the United States over a million-dollar loan.
He has vowed to “vigorously defend” his position and launched a defamation case in response.
Jags Krishnan was blocked by his colleagues from answering journalists’ questions. (ABC News: Andrew O’Connor)
Journalists tried to ask the second-term MP questions as he arrived at parliament on Wednesday but were blocked by a group of colleagues including Terry Healy and David Scaife.
Terry Healy blocked media from Dr Krishnan outside parliament. (ABC News: Andrew O’Connor)
Mr Healy stood between the under-pressure MP and the media at one stage.
“It’s all getting sorted,” Dr Krishnan said as upper house Labor MPs Pierre Yang and Kate Doust walked close by.
“Sorry guys, this is our workplace,” Mr Scaife said.
“This is outrageous.”
Asked if he would make a statement, Dr Krishnan said “not at the moment, when all is settled I will make a statement”, which he said would happen in “a couple of weeks”.
Dr Krishnan then appeared to be pulled into the building by Mr Yang before Mr Healy again stood in front of the cameras.
Mr Scaife then yelled to the media “you should be ashamed of yourselves” from inside the building.
‘Extraordinary’: opposition
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said Mr Scaife’s comments were out of line.
“It would seem to me that the member for Cockburn has suggested the men and women of the press doing their job are a disgrace for doing their job,” he said.
“The member for Cockburn should have a long, hard think about how things operate in here and around this space.”
Basil Zempilas has taken a swipe at the group of Labor MPs. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
Mr Zempilas described the incident as “one of the most extraordinary things I have ever seen” and said the premier and Dr Krishnan needed to address the issue publicly.
“This government, for far too long, have done as they have pleased. Now, when questions are being asked, they don’t like it,” he said.
Premier responds
When asked about the incident, Premier Roger Cook said he could not provide answers about “how members of parliament choose to conduct themselves going into or out of parliament”.
He said he did not believe Dr Krishnan needed to provide an explanation of his business dealings to the parliament.
WA Premier Roger Cook said there was no need for Dr Krishnan to explain his business dealings to parliament. (ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch)
“Members of parliament, through their own private undertakings, have these issues all the time,” he said.
“And Dr Jags has undertaken to meet all the requirements … for members of parliament to one, be transparent, and two, to assure the people of Western Australia that these issues do not interfere with their obligations and duties.”
Source: www.abc.net.au
