Shadow Minister MacTiernan questions the legality of deductions from the Royalties for Regions allocation, given the existing legislation. Minister Grylls acknowledges the issue and states a resolution will be presented in the next budget.

AnsweredQoN 21Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 February 2010
Portfolio
Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

ROYALTIES FOR REGIONS ALLOCATION — LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
The midyear review shows that for the next four years the $25 million saving contribution will be shaved off the royalties for regions allocation. As this deduction is not permitted under the royalties for regions legislation passed last year, how will the minister proclaim more than the short title of this legislation during this term of government? Mr B.J. GRYLLS

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the shadow spokesperson for regional development for her close interest in the Royalties for Regions Bill, and for her support. The member is correct that the Royalties for Regions Bill is not fully proclaimed yet. It has been signed off and will be proclaimed as soon as the Exco meeting is held. The member is also correct that under the administrative arrangements that the new government set up for the fund, we are able to recognise that saving across the forward years; the member is also correct in her assertion that under the legislation that type of saving is not permissible. It will be up to the Treasurer and me to work out how the royalties for regions program will continue to be a key part of government delivering on the economic bottom line of the government. In the next budget, the member will see exactly how the government plans to do that.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the shadow spokesperson for regional development for her close interest in the Royalties for Regions Bill, and for her support. The member is correct that the Royalties for Regions Bill is not fully proclaimed yet. It has been signed off and will be proclaimed as soon as the Exco meeting is held. The member is also correct that under the administrative arrangements that the new government set up for the fund, we are able to recognise that saving across the forward years; the member is also correct in her assertion that under the legislation that type of saving is not permissible. It will be up to the Treasurer and me to work out how the royalties for regions program will continue to be a key part of government delivering on the economic bottom line of the government. In the next budget, the member will see exactly how the government plans to do that.
I thank the shadow spokesperson for regional development for her close interest in the Royalties for Regions Bill, and for her support. The member is correct that the Royalties for Regions Bill is not fully proclaimed yet. It has been signed off and will be proclaimed as soon as the Exco meeting is held. The member is also correct that under the administrative arrangements that the new government set up for the fund, we are able to recognise that saving across the forward years; the member is also correct in her assertion that under the legislation that type of saving is not permissible. It will be up to the Treasurer and me to work out how the royalties for regions program will continue to be a key part of government delivering on the economic bottom line of the government. In the next budget, the member will see exactly how the government plans to do that.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more