❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses governance and financial issues within the City of Albany, including a reversed rate rise, budget deficit, and requests for state assistance. The Minister acknowledges awareness but deflects responsibility for specific financial impacts.
AnsweredQoN 543Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CITY OF ALBANY — GOVERNANCE ISSUES
I refer once again to the ongoing issues in the City of Albany, which have now extended to a budget black hole for the city. (1) Is the minister aware that Albany city council has been forced to reverse a rate rise on unoccupied land after a special ratepayers meeting? (2) Given that the council has been forced to halve this rate rise, what impact will this have on the budget of the local government in Albany, given that it is already $21 million in debt and its lenders will not give it any more money? (3) Has the City of Albany approached the minister for assistance to cover this budget black hole? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI
I refer once again to the ongoing issues in the City of Albany, which have now extended to a budget black hole for the city. (1) Is the minister aware that Albany city council has been forced to reverse a rate rise on unoccupied land after a special ratepayers meeting? (2) Given that the council has been forced to halve this rate rise, what impact will this have on the budget of the local government in Albany, given that it is already $21 million in debt and its lenders will not give it any more money? (3) Has the City of Albany approached the minister for assistance to cover this budget black hole? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
(1) Is the minister aware that Albany city council has been forced to reverse a rate rise on unoccupied land after a special ratepayers meeting? (2) Given that the council has been forced to halve this rate rise, what impact will this have on the budget of the local government in Albany, given that it is already $21 million in debt and its lenders will not give it any more money? (3) Has the City of Albany approached the minister for assistance to cover this budget black hole? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
(2) Given that the council has been forced to halve this rate rise, what impact will this have on the budget of the local government in Albany, given that it is already $21 million in debt and its lenders will not give it any more money? (3) Has the City of Albany approached the minister for assistance to cover this budget black hole? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
(3) Has the City of Albany approached the minister for assistance to cover this budget black hole? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
(1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
(3) No.
(1) Is the minister aware that Albany city council has been forced to reverse a rate rise on unoccupied land after a special ratepayers meeting? (2) Given that the council has been forced to halve this rate rise, what impact will this have on the budget of the local government in Albany, given that it is already $21 million in debt and its lenders will not give it any more money? (3) Has the City of Albany approached the minister for assistance to cover this budget black hole? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
(2) Given that the council has been forced to halve this rate rise, what impact will this have on the budget of the local government in Albany, given that it is already $21 million in debt and its lenders will not give it any more money? (3) Has the City of Albany approached the minister for assistance to cover this budget black hole? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
(3) Has the City of Albany approached the minister for assistance to cover this budget black hole? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
I thank the member for his question. (1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
(1)–(2) Yes, I am aware, because there was a meeting at the Albany City Council, which I think 170 people attended, and three motions were put. The first motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to rescind the rate rise on vacant land. That got through. The second motion was that the electors direct the City of Albany to convene a public inquiry into the rating system in the City of Albany. I think that was carried. The third motion was that the City of Albany convene an audit into efficiency and staff operations at the city. That motion was lost, member for Albany, because what was said at the meeting was that, “The last thing we need now is the extra cost of an efficiency audit. This is a management and leadership issue; strong leadership is needed to weed out incompetence.” That is what the issues at the City of Albany are. If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
If the member for Albany wants to find out what impact that is going to have on the budget of the city of Albany, I suggest he ring the mayor and ask him. I am aware from media reports of the $21 million debt. Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Won’t the obligation come back on the state if there is a real problem there? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : It is very interesting that the Leader of the Opposition says that, because I would have thought he would have taken a whole-of-life costing when he committed to the entertainment centre at the City of Albany. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Albany, I think you have asked some questions that you want answers to. Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr P.B. Watson : Well, I’m not getting them. The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
The SPEAKER : Well, your interjecting and other members’ interjecting does not help you get answers. Perhaps on some occasions in this place all of us need to listen a bit more. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that this government, from what the Minister for Culture and the Arts has said, is assisting the City of Albany. That is in excess of a $2 million albatross around the neck of the City of Albany. That is what that is. I am fully aware of what is happening at the City of Albany. That is why I am working very closely with the City of Albany. (3) No.
(3) No.
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