❓ A parliamentary question regarding job losses in regional WA, specifically in mining, agriculture, and timber, and the government's response, including assistance packages and retraining programs. The Minister outlines the government's response to the Ravensthorpe mine closure and other job losses.
AnsweredQoN 243Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
JOB LOSSES IN REGIONAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Mr Speaker, I would like to welcome Brad Hogg, the former Australian cricketer, to the gallery today. I refer to the thousands of Western Australians losing their jobs throughout regional Western Australia, particularly the 1 800 at the Ravensthorpe mine; 160 at Harvey Beef; 220 at Argyle diamond mine; 60 at Collie Pinetec; and the Albany woodchip workers and meatworkers. (1) What has the minister done to address the alarming number of jobs being axed in regional Western Australia; and, in particular, what assistance has he provided to the workers of Albany who have lost their jobs? (2) How much royalties for regions money is being provided to fund worker support, including retraining programs in country WA, especially in Albany? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
Mr Speaker, I would like to welcome Brad Hogg, the former Australian cricketer, to the gallery today. I refer to the thousands of Western Australians losing their jobs throughout regional Western Australia, particularly the 1 800 at the Ravensthorpe mine; 160 at Harvey Beef; 220 at Argyle diamond mine; 60 at Collie Pinetec; and the Albany woodchip workers and meatworkers. (1) What has the minister done to address the alarming number of jobs being axed in regional Western Australia; and, in particular, what assistance has he provided to the workers of Albany who have lost their jobs? (2) How much royalties for regions money is being provided to fund worker support, including retraining programs in country WA, especially in Albany? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
I refer to the thousands of Western Australians losing their jobs throughout regional Western Australia, particularly the 1 800 at the Ravensthorpe mine; 160 at Harvey Beef; 220 at Argyle diamond mine; 60 at Collie Pinetec; and the Albany woodchip workers and meatworkers. (1) What has the minister done to address the alarming number of jobs being axed in regional Western Australia; and, in particular, what assistance has he provided to the workers of Albany who have lost their jobs? (2) How much royalties for regions money is being provided to fund worker support, including retraining programs in country WA, especially in Albany? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
(1) What has the minister done to address the alarming number of jobs being axed in regional Western Australia; and, in particular, what assistance has he provided to the workers of Albany who have lost their jobs? (2) How much royalties for regions money is being provided to fund worker support, including retraining programs in country WA, especially in Albany? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
(2) How much royalties for regions money is being provided to fund worker support, including retraining programs in country WA, especially in Albany? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
(1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
I refer to the thousands of Western Australians losing their jobs throughout regional Western Australia, particularly the 1 800 at the Ravensthorpe mine; 160 at Harvey Beef; 220 at Argyle diamond mine; 60 at Collie Pinetec; and the Albany woodchip workers and meatworkers. (1) What has the minister done to address the alarming number of jobs being axed in regional Western Australia; and, in particular, what assistance has he provided to the workers of Albany who have lost their jobs? (2) How much royalties for regions money is being provided to fund worker support, including retraining programs in country WA, especially in Albany? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
(1) What has the minister done to address the alarming number of jobs being axed in regional Western Australia; and, in particular, what assistance has he provided to the workers of Albany who have lost their jobs? (2) How much royalties for regions money is being provided to fund worker support, including retraining programs in country WA, especially in Albany? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
(2) How much royalties for regions money is being provided to fund worker support, including retraining programs in country WA, especially in Albany? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
(1)-(2) Member, before I give my answer, what are the job losses in Albany that you referred to? Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr P.B. Watson : In the woodchip industry and meatworks—all the young apprentices are being laid off. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Albany is quite correct; we are experiencing difficult economic circumstances and a lot of those difficult circumstances are culminating in job losses in regional Western Australia, as members opposite have discovered. The Labor Party has begun to recognise that regional Western Australia is one of the major drivers of the Western Australian economy; many of the major projects out there are driving the economy. I begin by outlining the government’s response to the Ravensthorpe nickel mine closure, because that was probably the most high-profile closure so far. It was a devastating outcome, for a project that was only just getting off the ground, to be closed down so quickly. The Premier and I visited Ravensthorpe very early on to talk with the community. A gentleman by the name of Tony Bright has been in almost daily contact with me about the issues on the ground at Ravensthorpe. The government has worked closely with BHP Billiton, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully, to try to ensure that the government and the community can move through this process. The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The government has put in place a $5 million assistance package; I will provide some of the details. There will be $3 000 vouchers to cover the legal, accounting and financial planning costs of affected small businesses. There will be $5 000 hardship grants to assist those struggling to cover ongoing living expenses and, if required, removal costs. The government is very concerned that many people packed up their lives and moved to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun for work, and, with no jobs available, are faced with the difficult task of having to move with no income. Some of those people will have to move to other parts of the state, so a $5 000 hardship grant will be made available to them. A grant of $50 000 will be made to the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber of commerce has done an excellent job in coordinating the business and community response to the closure, and I know that they have had meetings with the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow spokesperson for regional development. The Leader of the Opposition has helped, along with the federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, with issues around 457 visas. The state government has made sure that anyone on a 457 visa who finds himself out of work and therefore no longer has sponsorship will have some leeway in their arrangements. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his work with the federal minister to make that happen. The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The government is also looking at a project on Jerdacuttup Road, which the Shire of Ravensthorpe has identified as an immediate priority. Planning work has begun at the Fitzgerald River National Park to look at what we can achieve in that fantastic tourism icon. I have also worked very closely with some of the affected workers. I spoke with City Pacific Ltd during a trip to the Pilbara a couple of weeks ago. It has identified some of the skills it needs, and I made a personal effort to contact some of the workers that were sacked at Ravensthorpe to try to link their skills to the City Pacific project in the Pilbara, and some opportunities are opening up. Of course, the government cannot solve the problem of that project being shut down, but I believe that we have been quick to act and are making as strong a response as is possible. I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
I turn to the Harvey Beef issue. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I understand that an agreement has been put to the workers at Harvey Beef today. I travelled there last week with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, and we immediately — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Rockingham! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : We immediately put in place a one-stop shop at the Harvey — Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Collie-Preston. Members on both sides, I do not know whether the member for Albany is able to hear the answer being provided by the Minister for Regional Development. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government immediately made the Harvey telecentre a one-stop shop for affected workers. Once again, I understand that 457 visa workers on this project could be affected, and that — Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I will talk about the member for Collie-Preston. The member for Collie-Preston requested to come to the meeting with industry and local government last week. Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You offered an invitation! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : When we got there, the member for Collie-Preston was conspicuous in that people were asking me who he actually was. I pointed out to them that he was the opposition spokesperson for agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture and Food and I, when dealing with the unions, shire and some of the affected workers in Harvey, were looking at some possible solutions, and that is when we came up with the idea of the telecentre. On the way back we commented about the member for Collie-Preston’s contribution. His only contribution to that meeting was three lamingtons, four Tim Tams and two cups of coffee. He did not say anything else. The only thing he contributed to was lowering the kitchen supplies of the Harvey shire council. If the member for Collie-Preston wants to put forward some positive ideas, we are happy to hear them. However, the member for Collie-Preston will find it very hard to put forward a positive idea when he has a mouthful of Tim Tams! The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The important thing this government is doing, which the former government did not do, is — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Whether or not the minister might have a mouthful of Tim Tams or the member for Collie-Preston might have a mouthful of Tim Tams, I am struggling to hear his answer. I would like to hear the conclusion of the minister’s answer. I would like to hear it in relative silence. I am sure the minister might want to have discussions with some members in this place after question time. I ask the minister, please, to conclude his answer. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Collie-Preston, in many senses, what I am endeavouring to do here—you may not think so—is for your benefit. I try to do this for the benefit of every member in this place, but particularly when a member is answering part of a question. I formally call the member for Collie-Preston to order for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : In answer to the question, the new Liberal-National government is injecting $100 million into regional local governments as we speak. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Kimberley! Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I look forward at some future time in this Parliament to outlining to members opposite the projects this program is funding. Does the member for Albany support the local government fund? Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Thank you. Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Does the member also support the injection of $40 million through the regional development commission into a contestable grant? The government has also allocated $10 million towards the telecentre network, which is becoming a key hub for the community in these challenging times. It is being used in Ravensthorpe and in Harvey to ensure the government can respond to the community. The government has delivered $23 million to South Hedland to revitalise that community. We look forward through the royalties for regions program—does the member for Albany support that program? Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The government looks forward through the royalties for regions program to fundamentally changing regional Western Australia, which is something members opposite never did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! A member from your side, the member for Albany, has the call and I expect you to respect his place in this place. You do not keep on talking when he has been given the call. I do not know what dialogue you were having across the chamber; I am not particularly interested in that. I am interested in the member for Albany and his supplementary question. I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
I formally call the member for Rockingham for the first time.
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