❓ Mr. Simpson questions the Treasurer's claim that procurement reforms are responsible for reduced laptop prices, arguing technological advancements are the primary driver and suggesting the Treasurer is out of touch. The Treasurer defends procurement reform, stating it saves taxpayer money by purchasing technology appropriate for the task.
AnsweredQoN 855Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LAPTOP COMPUTERS - PRICES
I take this opportunity to thank Doug McLean, one of the parliamentary education officers, who is leaving tomorrow, for his support for schools. On Tuesday in this house the Treasurer said that as a result of the government’s procurement reform package, the public sector currently pays $1 498 for Pentium III laptop computers, down from $4 213 in 2002. (1) Is it not the case that Pentium III laptop computers are obsolete and are no longer readily available from Western Australian retail computer suppliers? (2) How can the Treasurer claim that procurement reforms are the reason for the reduction in price when the reality is that advances in technology and manufacturing are the real reasons that the price of laptops has fallen? (3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER
I take this opportunity to thank Doug McLean, one of the parliamentary education officers, who is leaving tomorrow, for his support for schools. On Tuesday in this house the Treasurer said that as a result of the government’s procurement reform package, the public sector currently pays $1 498 for Pentium III laptop computers, down from $4 213 in 2002. (1) Is it not the case that Pentium III laptop computers are obsolete and are no longer readily available from Western Australian retail computer suppliers? (2) How can the Treasurer claim that procurement reforms are the reason for the reduction in price when the reality is that advances in technology and manufacturing are the real reasons that the price of laptops has fallen? (3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
On Tuesday in this house the Treasurer said that as a result of the government’s procurement reform package, the public sector currently pays $1 498 for Pentium III laptop computers, down from $4 213 in 2002. (1) Is it not the case that Pentium III laptop computers are obsolete and are no longer readily available from Western Australian retail computer suppliers? (2) How can the Treasurer claim that procurement reforms are the reason for the reduction in price when the reality is that advances in technology and manufacturing are the real reasons that the price of laptops has fallen? (3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
(1) Is it not the case that Pentium III laptop computers are obsolete and are no longer readily available from Western Australian retail computer suppliers? (2) How can the Treasurer claim that procurement reforms are the reason for the reduction in price when the reality is that advances in technology and manufacturing are the real reasons that the price of laptops has fallen? (3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
(2) How can the Treasurer claim that procurement reforms are the reason for the reduction in price when the reality is that advances in technology and manufacturing are the real reasons that the price of laptops has fallen? (3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
(3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
(1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
On Tuesday in this house the Treasurer said that as a result of the government’s procurement reform package, the public sector currently pays $1 498 for Pentium III laptop computers, down from $4 213 in 2002. (1) Is it not the case that Pentium III laptop computers are obsolete and are no longer readily available from Western Australian retail computer suppliers? (2) How can the Treasurer claim that procurement reforms are the reason for the reduction in price when the reality is that advances in technology and manufacturing are the real reasons that the price of laptops has fallen? (3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
(1) Is it not the case that Pentium III laptop computers are obsolete and are no longer readily available from Western Australian retail computer suppliers? (2) How can the Treasurer claim that procurement reforms are the reason for the reduction in price when the reality is that advances in technology and manufacturing are the real reasons that the price of laptops has fallen? (3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
(2) How can the Treasurer claim that procurement reforms are the reason for the reduction in price when the reality is that advances in technology and manufacturing are the real reasons that the price of laptops has fallen? (3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
(3) Why is the Treasurer so out of touch with the current cost of office technology? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has been standing for about a minute and, due to the number of interjections, he has not been able to utter one word. Members should give him the chance to respond. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Carine to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : At least I am getting some exercise, although my knees are becoming somewhat weary. An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
An opposition member interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I can understand why. Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : It’s not from praying, I hear! Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is true. (1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
(1)-(3) I think it is worth thinking about exactly what public servants need for certain types of jobs. I do not think that a person who, for example, does only word-processing activities and sends e-mails needs the absolute latest in computer technology. Procurement reform includes buying what is necessary for the task, not providing for wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money on things that are not required. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr A.J. Simpson interjected. The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
The SPEAKER : Perhaps the member for Serpentine-Jarrahdale is blind and cannot see me on my feet. I call him to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : We certainly have a Commodore 64 opposition in this place! There are, of course, technological advancements in telecommunications and information technology, and long-term price trends in both industries are producing better value for all purchasers. Although I do not have the precise figures in front of me, I think I was able to cite in those areas a better than 60 per cent saving. Members cannot tell me that that better than 60 per cent saving is entirely due to technological changes in the industry. Once again the opposition is refusing to back a very important public sector reform project. The government will save for taxpayers $450 million-plus over four years, which will be put back into the key service areas of health, education, law and order, disability services, child protection and environmental protection, which the community regards as priorities. What do we hear from the opposition? Despite numerous invitations from me to support procurement reform, I have never heard a declaration from the opposition that it supports this very important reform program. Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr M.W. Trenorden : I don’t. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Okay; the member for Avon does not. I do not know that the member for Avon has any influence on the opposition anymore, as much as I regret that. Members of the opposition in this place should not talk about expense growth and complain about what they regard as too much expenditure in the public service. They complain about public servants. I think they are actually against the public service. If they are concerned about those issues, they need to get behind some of the projects and reforms that will actually save money. Procurement reform is one of those projects.
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