❓ A parliamentary question regarding the effectiveness of the Treasurer's 2006 European delegation in attracting overseas construction companies to bid for WA government projects, particularly the Fiona Stanley Hospital. The Treasurer defends the trip, citing increased interest and follow-up visits from companies like Laing O'Rourke.
AnsweredQoN 103Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TENDERS FOR GOVERNMENT PROJECTS — TREASURER’S 2006 DELEGATION TO EUROPE
I refer to the limited tender pool in response to the planned Fiona Stanley Hospital and to the fact that Under Treasurer Tim Marney was quoted yesterday as saying that he is still to approve the business case and is worried by the lack of tenderers. (1) Will the Treasurer confirm that his delegation to Europe in October 2006 to—his primary objective—“enhance Western Australia’s capacity to deliver on the state’s increasing infrastructure needs” cost Western Australian taxpayers nearly $100 000? (2) How many overseas or eastern states construction companies have tendered for Western Australian government projects since October 2006, or joined in to partner local firms? (3) Given that the Treasurer’s own Under Treasurer is concerned about the failure to attract a competitive level of tendering, will the Treasurer now acknowledge that his trip to Europe was a $7 000-a-day failed junket? The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER
I refer to the limited tender pool in response to the planned Fiona Stanley Hospital and to the fact that Under Treasurer Tim Marney was quoted yesterday as saying that he is still to approve the business case and is worried by the lack of tenderers. (1) Will the Treasurer confirm that his delegation to Europe in October 2006 to—his primary objective—“enhance Western Australia’s capacity to deliver on the state’s increasing infrastructure needs” cost Western Australian taxpayers nearly $100 000? (2) How many overseas or eastern states construction companies have tendered for Western Australian government projects since October 2006, or joined in to partner local firms? (3) Given that the Treasurer’s own Under Treasurer is concerned about the failure to attract a competitive level of tendering, will the Treasurer now acknowledge that his trip to Europe was a $7 000-a-day failed junket? The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
(1) Will the Treasurer confirm that his delegation to Europe in October 2006 to—his primary objective—“enhance Western Australia’s capacity to deliver on the state’s increasing infrastructure needs” cost Western Australian taxpayers nearly $100 000? (2) How many overseas or eastern states construction companies have tendered for Western Australian government projects since October 2006, or joined in to partner local firms? (3) Given that the Treasurer’s own Under Treasurer is concerned about the failure to attract a competitive level of tendering, will the Treasurer now acknowledge that his trip to Europe was a $7 000-a-day failed junket? The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
(2) How many overseas or eastern states construction companies have tendered for Western Australian government projects since October 2006, or joined in to partner local firms? (3) Given that the Treasurer’s own Under Treasurer is concerned about the failure to attract a competitive level of tendering, will the Treasurer now acknowledge that his trip to Europe was a $7 000-a-day failed junket? The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
(3) Given that the Treasurer’s own Under Treasurer is concerned about the failure to attract a competitive level of tendering, will the Treasurer now acknowledge that his trip to Europe was a $7 000-a-day failed junket? The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
(1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
(1) Will the Treasurer confirm that his delegation to Europe in October 2006 to—his primary objective—“enhance Western Australia’s capacity to deliver on the state’s increasing infrastructure needs” cost Western Australian taxpayers nearly $100 000? (2) How many overseas or eastern states construction companies have tendered for Western Australian government projects since October 2006, or joined in to partner local firms? (3) Given that the Treasurer’s own Under Treasurer is concerned about the failure to attract a competitive level of tendering, will the Treasurer now acknowledge that his trip to Europe was a $7 000-a-day failed junket? The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
(2) How many overseas or eastern states construction companies have tendered for Western Australian government projects since October 2006, or joined in to partner local firms? (3) Given that the Treasurer’s own Under Treasurer is concerned about the failure to attract a competitive level of tendering, will the Treasurer now acknowledge that his trip to Europe was a $7 000-a-day failed junket? The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
(3) Given that the Treasurer’s own Under Treasurer is concerned about the failure to attract a competitive level of tendering, will the Treasurer now acknowledge that his trip to Europe was a $7 000-a-day failed junket? The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
The SPEAKER : The second part of the question asks, I would have thought, for an extraordinary amount of detail and research to find out, if it is possible, which companies joined in partnerships and so forth before entering into tendering agreements. I do not think there is any way that the Treasurer should be asked to answer that question. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
(1)-(3) One of the issues that we face—as do private sector proponents—in the delivery of our $25 billion capital works program is that our construction industry market is a bit thin. We need more national and international firms to participate in our construction market. All members of this house should be joining in the effort to promote to those national and international firms the merits of investment and participation in Western Australia’s booming economy. That visit to European countries was a great opportunity to promote Western Australia. There was a great deal of interest in the phenomenal economic performance of this state. Of course, in 2000-01 when the member’s colleagues were in government and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was the minister, the economy actually got smaller. It is nearly 100 per cent bigger now than it was in that year when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was a member of the Court cabinet. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
The SPEAKER : I can hardly hear the Treasurer. I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is no wonder that the opposition is unfamiliar with some of the challenges of dealing with a booming economy. It was not able to produce one when it was in government. This is a continuing challenge. The visit has resulted in follow-up visits to Western Australia from those companies. For example, the company Laing O’Rourke, to which I made a presentation, has, I believe, visited Western Australia to follow up on at least two occasions since my visit. The Agent General in London followed up my visit with visits to Spanish construction companies, and I was pleased to meet a Spanish company delegation on a return visit to Western Australia. This is a process that is continuing. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Treasurer, Laing O’Rourke has in fact tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : There we are. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure is able to provide some detail because of her line of ministerial responsibility. Laing O’Rourke has tendered for some Main Roads’ jobs. That is an example of the type of effort that I engaged in that is producing a result. This is a juvenile — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : This is a juvenile and immature approach by the opposition, which I am sure would embarrass more experienced members of the Liberal Party who know that when engaging with international firms, it takes time to produce results. There is a lack of familiarity with the Western Australian jurisdiction. However, we have a great story to tell, and the shadow Treasurer should be joining in a mature and cooperative approach to sell the Western Australian story. One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised — Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Dr S.C. Thomas interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Capel to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : One of the issues that the overseas construction companies raised was their desire to enter our market by partnering with local companies. Regrettably, the structure of our industry means that there is a shortage of suitable firms with which those international companies can partner. Therefore, we have a chicken-and-egg situation whereby we need some partners for those firms to participate with, and the partners are not available so the firms do not come; therefore, the local partners do not develop. That is a challenging issue for us to work on with our business community. However, I repeat that this is a very worthwhile exercise. When I talk to resources industry proponents, they strongly support the efforts that the government has made to bring more construction capacity into our market, because not only is it to the advantage of the implementation of our construction program, but also it is to the advantage of the implementation of the resources sector construction program. Therefore, before opposition members come into this house and criticise the government’s efforts, they should talk to some real businesspeople about what they think is in the interests of the state, and those businesspeople will tell them that they support the efforts that I have made in this regard.
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