❓ Opposition questions the Premier about a potential conflict of interest regarding the employment of Peter Oates, an energy consultant whose company stands to benefit from the cancellation of a proposed electricity line. The Premier denies any conflict, stating Oates advises on broader energy industry issues, not the specific project.
AnsweredQoN 428Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PETER OATES — CONFLICT OF INTEREST
I refer to the government’s decision to cancel the 330-kilovolt line from Pinjar to Geraldton. (1) Does the Premier accept that it is now a clear conflict of interest for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to retain paid energy consultant Peter Oates on a salary of $100 000, given that his company Eneabba Gas Limited has opposed the construction of this vital electricity line and is now actively promoting its ability to provide the mid-west with its energy needs in the absence of the transmission line? (2) Does the Premier accept that Mr Oates stands to make a substantial personal gain now that Eneabba Gas holds a dominant market position? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the government’s decision to cancel the 330-kilovolt line from Pinjar to Geraldton. (1) Does the Premier accept that it is now a clear conflict of interest for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to retain paid energy consultant Peter Oates on a salary of $100 000, given that his company Eneabba Gas Limited has opposed the construction of this vital electricity line and is now actively promoting its ability to provide the mid-west with its energy needs in the absence of the transmission line? (2) Does the Premier accept that Mr Oates stands to make a substantial personal gain now that Eneabba Gas holds a dominant market position? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) That was a very inventive question implying a whole lot of things. The government has not cancelled the 330-kilovolt northern line. The cost of it has more than doubled from what was originally proposed. That line has been talked about for probably the past 15 to 20 years, and at some stage a line will be built there. However — Mr E.S. Ripper : Meanwhile, a big advantage for Eneabba Gas and you are getting advice from a person with an interest in the company. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
(1) Does the Premier accept that it is now a clear conflict of interest for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to retain paid energy consultant Peter Oates on a salary of $100 000, given that his company Eneabba Gas Limited has opposed the construction of this vital electricity line and is now actively promoting its ability to provide the mid-west with its energy needs in the absence of the transmission line? (2) Does the Premier accept that Mr Oates stands to make a substantial personal gain now that Eneabba Gas holds a dominant market position? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(2) That was a very inventive question implying a whole lot of things. The government has not cancelled the 330-kilovolt northern line. The cost of it has more than doubled from what was originally proposed. That line has been talked about for probably the past 15 to 20 years, and at some stage a line will be built there. However — Mr E.S. Ripper : Meanwhile, a big advantage for Eneabba Gas and you are getting advice from a person with an interest in the company. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
(2) Does the Premier accept that Mr Oates stands to make a substantial personal gain now that Eneabba Gas holds a dominant market position? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(2) That was a very inventive question implying a whole lot of things. The government has not cancelled the 330-kilovolt northern line. The cost of it has more than doubled from what was originally proposed. That line has been talked about for probably the past 15 to 20 years, and at some stage a line will be built there. However — Mr E.S. Ripper : Meanwhile, a big advantage for Eneabba Gas and you are getting advice from a person with an interest in the company. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(2) That was a very inventive question implying a whole lot of things. The government has not cancelled the 330-kilovolt northern line. The cost of it has more than doubled from what was originally proposed. That line has been talked about for probably the past 15 to 20 years, and at some stage a line will be built there. However — Mr E.S. Ripper : Meanwhile, a big advantage for Eneabba Gas and you are getting advice from a person with an interest in the company. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
(1)-(2) That was a very inventive question implying a whole lot of things. The government has not cancelled the 330-kilovolt northern line. The cost of it has more than doubled from what was originally proposed. That line has been talked about for probably the past 15 to 20 years, and at some stage a line will be built there. However — Mr E.S. Ripper : Meanwhile, a big advantage for Eneabba Gas and you are getting advice from a person with an interest in the company. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
(1) Does the Premier accept that it is now a clear conflict of interest for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to retain paid energy consultant Peter Oates on a salary of $100 000, given that his company Eneabba Gas Limited has opposed the construction of this vital electricity line and is now actively promoting its ability to provide the mid-west with its energy needs in the absence of the transmission line? (2) Does the Premier accept that Mr Oates stands to make a substantial personal gain now that Eneabba Gas holds a dominant market position? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(2) That was a very inventive question implying a whole lot of things. The government has not cancelled the 330-kilovolt northern line. The cost of it has more than doubled from what was originally proposed. That line has been talked about for probably the past 15 to 20 years, and at some stage a line will be built there. However — Mr E.S. Ripper : Meanwhile, a big advantage for Eneabba Gas and you are getting advice from a person with an interest in the company. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
(2) Does the Premier accept that Mr Oates stands to make a substantial personal gain now that Eneabba Gas holds a dominant market position? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(2) That was a very inventive question implying a whole lot of things. The government has not cancelled the 330-kilovolt northern line. The cost of it has more than doubled from what was originally proposed. That line has been talked about for probably the past 15 to 20 years, and at some stage a line will be built there. However — Mr E.S. Ripper : Meanwhile, a big advantage for Eneabba Gas and you are getting advice from a person with an interest in the company. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(2) That was a very inventive question implying a whole lot of things. The government has not cancelled the 330-kilovolt northern line. The cost of it has more than doubled from what was originally proposed. That line has been talked about for probably the past 15 to 20 years, and at some stage a line will be built there. However — Mr E.S. Ripper : Meanwhile, a big advantage for Eneabba Gas and you are getting advice from a person with an interest in the company. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
(1)-(2) That was a very inventive question implying a whole lot of things. The government has not cancelled the 330-kilovolt northern line. The cost of it has more than doubled from what was originally proposed. That line has been talked about for probably the past 15 to 20 years, and at some stage a line will be built there. However — Mr E.S. Ripper : Meanwhile, a big advantage for Eneabba Gas and you are getting advice from a person with an interest in the company. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The northern line is important to stabilising the system. Given the cost has blown out to something in excess of $650 million, any sensible government would look at it and ask whether this is now justified. I have a big question mark about how a project can more than double in cost in just a couple of years. It begs the question whether it would not be wiser and more efficient to build a power station in the north, rather than a line costing $600 million. Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Peter’s power station! Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : With the former government’s record on energy, does the Leader of the Opposition want me to make the speech I have made 20 times before in this house? I love talking about the performance of the Leader of the Opposition on energy. Only the Leader of the Opposition could have a proposal for a northern line that more than doubles in value in just a couple of years. The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
The government will look at that line and whether it is better to build power generation in the north, which will give greater reliability of supply. Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr Peter Oates, a former chief financial officer with what was the integrated Western Power, has been employed through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as a consultant to advise on energy issues, including the structure of the energy industry and the vesting contract that the Leader of the Opposition set up, which has become a complete disaster—it does not even accommodate renewable energy coming into the system properly! I can go on and on. Mr Oates is not advising the government on or playing any role in the future decisions relating to that northern line. There is no conflict. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : What is he advising on? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just said! If the member for Armadale were listening instead of reading, she would have heard that he is advising on the structure of the energy industry — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : That is relevant, isn’t it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, it is not. He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
He is looking in particular at how the state energy system could go from making $300 million profit a year and maintain reliability of supply to a system whereby Verve is losing a billion dollars, and he has been employed to try to work out how we can get rid of the huge overhang of that loss and minimise the price increases to Western Australian consumers. Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Members should bear in mind that the strategy of the Labor government was a 70 per cent increase in prices as a result of a policy to lower prices! So why would I not employ Peter Oates, who played a major role in running a profitable energy system, to advise the government on how we can return it to profit? Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr M. McGowan : Because there is a conflict. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no conflict. I have never discussed it with him, and he has not been in any way involved in that line, and this a pathetic attempt to try to slur yet another longstanding, experienced servant of the people of Western Australia. It is a pathetic attempt, but I guess the Leader of the Opposition is going to continue on because he is going to jump up again.
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