❓ Debate over the Oakajee Port and Rail project, focusing on funding, the role of Murchison, and the potential involvement of Chinese investors. The Premier deflects questions about Murchison's ownership and accuses the opposition of excluding Chinese investment.
AnsweredQoN 820Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
OAKAJEE PORT AND RAIL PROJECT — STATE AGREEMENT ACT
Noting that the Premier has completely failed to answer part (2) of my question about funding and common-user infrastructure, I nevertheless ask this supplementary: is it an outcome acceptable to the state government that Mitsubishi take over Murchison’s role in the project? Mr C.J. BARNETT
Noting that the Premier has completely failed to answer part (2) of my question about funding and common-user infrastructure, I nevertheless ask this supplementary: is it an outcome acceptable to the state government that Mitsubishi take over Murchison’s role in the project? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
It is not appropriate for me or anyone to comment on what might happen to the ownership of Murchison. That is a matter for any prospective buyer or seller. It is obviously ASX-sensitive, so I will not comment on that. If a transaction happens, it will be a private transaction; it will not be a government one—it will not be a government one at all. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have previously made comments on who should be involved in the consortium. You said it should be Chinese interests. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Remember, the Leader of the Opposition excluded the Chinese. The Chinese are the investors; they are the customers. I am saying that in any reorganisation I would like China to come back in. It was the Labor Party that developed a mandate that excluded the Chinese. Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: It is not appropriate for me or anyone to comment on what might happen to the ownership of Murchison. That is a matter for any prospective buyer or seller. It is obviously ASX-sensitive, so I will not comment on that. If a transaction happens, it will be a private transaction; it will not be a government one—it will not be a government one at all. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have previously made comments on who should be involved in the consortium. You said it should be Chinese interests. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Remember, the Leader of the Opposition excluded the Chinese. The Chinese are the investors; they are the customers. I am saying that in any reorganisation I would like China to come back in. It was the Labor Party that developed a mandate that excluded the Chinese. Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
It is not appropriate for me or anyone to comment on what might happen to the ownership of Murchison. That is a matter for any prospective buyer or seller. It is obviously ASX-sensitive, so I will not comment on that. If a transaction happens, it will be a private transaction; it will not be a government one—it will not be a government one at all. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have previously made comments on who should be involved in the consortium. You said it should be Chinese interests. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Remember, the Leader of the Opposition excluded the Chinese. The Chinese are the investors; they are the customers. I am saying that in any reorganisation I would like China to come back in. It was the Labor Party that developed a mandate that excluded the Chinese. Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You have previously made comments on who should be involved in the consortium. You said it should be Chinese interests. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Remember, the Leader of the Opposition excluded the Chinese. The Chinese are the investors; they are the customers. I am saying that in any reorganisation I would like China to come back in. It was the Labor Party that developed a mandate that excluded the Chinese. Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Remember, the Leader of the Opposition excluded the Chinese. The Chinese are the investors; they are the customers. I am saying that in any reorganisation I would like China to come back in. It was the Labor Party that developed a mandate that excluded the Chinese. Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: It is not appropriate for me or anyone to comment on what might happen to the ownership of Murchison. That is a matter for any prospective buyer or seller. It is obviously ASX-sensitive, so I will not comment on that. If a transaction happens, it will be a private transaction; it will not be a government one—it will not be a government one at all. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have previously made comments on who should be involved in the consortium. You said it should be Chinese interests. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Remember, the Leader of the Opposition excluded the Chinese. The Chinese are the investors; they are the customers. I am saying that in any reorganisation I would like China to come back in. It was the Labor Party that developed a mandate that excluded the Chinese. Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
It is not appropriate for me or anyone to comment on what might happen to the ownership of Murchison. That is a matter for any prospective buyer or seller. It is obviously ASX-sensitive, so I will not comment on that. If a transaction happens, it will be a private transaction; it will not be a government one—it will not be a government one at all. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have previously made comments on who should be involved in the consortium. You said it should be Chinese interests. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Remember, the Leader of the Opposition excluded the Chinese. The Chinese are the investors; they are the customers. I am saying that in any reorganisation I would like China to come back in. It was the Labor Party that developed a mandate that excluded the Chinese. Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You have previously made comments on who should be involved in the consortium. You said it should be Chinese interests. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Remember, the Leader of the Opposition excluded the Chinese. The Chinese are the investors; they are the customers. I am saying that in any reorganisation I would like China to come back in. It was the Labor Party that developed a mandate that excluded the Chinese. Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Remember, the Leader of the Opposition excluded the Chinese. The Chinese are the investors; they are the customers. I am saying that in any reorganisation I would like China to come back in. It was the Labor Party that developed a mandate that excluded the Chinese. Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Perhaps you can answer part (2) while you’re on your feet. Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr M. McGowan : The one you signed, do you mean, in March 2009? Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : In March 2009; you signed it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; it needs to be stated on the public record: The Labor Party seems to want to forget the fact that the only customer — Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You signed the agreement in March 2009. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This is like drawing teeth. I will go back one step. The granting of the exclusive mandate to Oakajee Port and Rail happened under a Labor government when it gave the mandate to the Mitsubishi–Murchison consortium. In effect, it excluded China. China is the only customer. Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It was only the port; it wasn’t the rail. You gave them the exclusive mandate on the rail, and you put in taxpayers’ money. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I did, because it will be an Australian port, owned by the Western Australian government. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : So, answer part (2). The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to, if the Leader of the Opposition would just behave for a moment. What does he want answered now? Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Does the state government now accept that some common-user infrastructure will have to be funded by the private sector because of cost blow-outs? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the cost blow-out will be. The state and commonwealth governments have agreed to jointly contribute around $670 million towards the infrastructure. That will fund the port. If the port costs more than that, we will have to decide how we do it. We may increase public funding for the port; who knows? Julia Gillard says she has all this money to give Western Australia. I have not seen a dollar of it yet, but we will wait.
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