❓ Question regarding conflicting statements on future water price increases. The Minister avoids a direct answer, referencing past statements and broader considerations.
AnsweredQoN 413Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WATER CHARGES — COST REFLECTIVITY
I refer to the minister’s statement in this house last week that “we have not yet achieved full cost reflectivity in the price of water” and to the release of figures by the Economic Regulation Authority which insists that to reach cost reflectivity, water charges will have to rise by 14 per cent or more each year for the next three years. I contrast this with the Premier’s comments in the house in May when he said — Yes, this year consumers have been hit with big increases … but they will not experience similar big increases in future years. (1) Who is telling the truth to the people of Western Australia—the minister or the Premier? (2) Does the government endorse or reject the recommendations of the ERA? Dr G.G. JACOBS
I refer to the minister’s statement in this house last week that “we have not yet achieved full cost reflectivity in the price of water” and to the release of figures by the Economic Regulation Authority which insists that to reach cost reflectivity, water charges will have to rise by 14 per cent or more each year for the next three years. I contrast this with the Premier’s comments in the house in May when he said — Yes, this year consumers have been hit with big increases … but they will not experience similar big increases in future years. (1) Who is telling the truth to the people of Western Australia—the minister or the Premier? (2) Does the government endorse or reject the recommendations of the ERA? Dr G.G. JACOBS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question. As members may have noticed, I was a little late today because I was following up on the announcement I made the other day in the Pilbara to resume the infill sewerage project in Port Hedland. Today I also had the privilege of announcing that work on the infill sewerage program in Dawesville would recommence, as well as significant work in Falcon and Murray Bend 2A. This government and I have seriously considered the issue of the cost of water and water pricing in this state. There are significant considerations in the cost of the delivery of water, accessing water and sustaining the resource. The scarcity of water and social considerations must also be taken into account. I draw the attention of the house to the balanced assessment of the situation that the Leader of the Opposition gave in 2006 when he was the Treasurer. He said — With the drying climate in Western Australia, and unprecedented growth in the demand for water from both residential and industrial users, ensuring that water prices are set appropriately is crucial to encourage water savings and water saving technology. He went on to say — … the need for a careful balance between reflecting water costs and scarcity on the one hand and social considerations on the other … The now Leader of the Opposition made those comments when he was the Treasurer. That responsible attitude, I believe—and it is a responsible attitude—is the attitude that we have taken to date. The member for Cockburn has insinuated or suggested that there is a differing opinion. The Economic Regulation Authority is one of the bodies that we take advice from when setting the future price of water. There are other considerations, as I have said, and the previous Treasurer, the now Leader of the Opposition, talked about a balance, including social considerations. The Premier and I have said very clearly that on this path to true cost reflectivity for water, the ERA is one of the organisations from which we take advice when setting water prices for the future. How much clearer do we have to be for the member for Cockburn, who keeps running — Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
(2) Does the government endorse or reject the recommendations of the ERA? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question. As members may have noticed, I was a little late today because I was following up on the announcement I made the other day in the Pilbara to resume the infill sewerage project in Port Hedland. Today I also had the privilege of announcing that work on the infill sewerage program in Dawesville would recommence, as well as significant work in Falcon and Murray Bend 2A. This government and I have seriously considered the issue of the cost of water and water pricing in this state. There are significant considerations in the cost of the delivery of water, accessing water and sustaining the resource. The scarcity of water and social considerations must also be taken into account. I draw the attention of the house to the balanced assessment of the situation that the Leader of the Opposition gave in 2006 when he was the Treasurer. He said — With the drying climate in Western Australia, and unprecedented growth in the demand for water from both residential and industrial users, ensuring that water prices are set appropriately is crucial to encourage water savings and water saving technology. He went on to say — … the need for a careful balance between reflecting water costs and scarcity on the one hand and social considerations on the other … The now Leader of the Opposition made those comments when he was the Treasurer. That responsible attitude, I believe—and it is a responsible attitude—is the attitude that we have taken to date. The member for Cockburn has insinuated or suggested that there is a differing opinion. The Economic Regulation Authority is one of the bodies that we take advice from when setting the future price of water. There are other considerations, as I have said, and the previous Treasurer, the now Leader of the Opposition, talked about a balance, including social considerations. The Premier and I have said very clearly that on this path to true cost reflectivity for water, the ERA is one of the organisations from which we take advice when setting water prices for the future. How much clearer do we have to be for the member for Cockburn, who keeps running — Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question. As members may have noticed, I was a little late today because I was following up on the announcement I made the other day in the Pilbara to resume the infill sewerage project in Port Hedland. Today I also had the privilege of announcing that work on the infill sewerage program in Dawesville would recommence, as well as significant work in Falcon and Murray Bend 2A. This government and I have seriously considered the issue of the cost of water and water pricing in this state. There are significant considerations in the cost of the delivery of water, accessing water and sustaining the resource. The scarcity of water and social considerations must also be taken into account. I draw the attention of the house to the balanced assessment of the situation that the Leader of the Opposition gave in 2006 when he was the Treasurer. He said — With the drying climate in Western Australia, and unprecedented growth in the demand for water from both residential and industrial users, ensuring that water prices are set appropriately is crucial to encourage water savings and water saving technology. He went on to say — … the need for a careful balance between reflecting water costs and scarcity on the one hand and social considerations on the other … The now Leader of the Opposition made those comments when he was the Treasurer. That responsible attitude, I believe—and it is a responsible attitude—is the attitude that we have taken to date. The member for Cockburn has insinuated or suggested that there is a differing opinion. The Economic Regulation Authority is one of the bodies that we take advice from when setting the future price of water. There are other considerations, as I have said, and the previous Treasurer, the now Leader of the Opposition, talked about a balance, including social considerations. The Premier and I have said very clearly that on this path to true cost reflectivity for water, the ERA is one of the organisations from which we take advice when setting water prices for the future. How much clearer do we have to be for the member for Cockburn, who keeps running — Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
(1)–(2) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question. As members may have noticed, I was a little late today because I was following up on the announcement I made the other day in the Pilbara to resume the infill sewerage project in Port Hedland. Today I also had the privilege of announcing that work on the infill sewerage program in Dawesville would recommence, as well as significant work in Falcon and Murray Bend 2A. This government and I have seriously considered the issue of the cost of water and water pricing in this state. There are significant considerations in the cost of the delivery of water, accessing water and sustaining the resource. The scarcity of water and social considerations must also be taken into account. I draw the attention of the house to the balanced assessment of the situation that the Leader of the Opposition gave in 2006 when he was the Treasurer. He said — With the drying climate in Western Australia, and unprecedented growth in the demand for water from both residential and industrial users, ensuring that water prices are set appropriately is crucial to encourage water savings and water saving technology. He went on to say — … the need for a careful balance between reflecting water costs and scarcity on the one hand and social considerations on the other … The now Leader of the Opposition made those comments when he was the Treasurer. That responsible attitude, I believe—and it is a responsible attitude—is the attitude that we have taken to date. The member for Cockburn has insinuated or suggested that there is a differing opinion. The Economic Regulation Authority is one of the bodies that we take advice from when setting the future price of water. There are other considerations, as I have said, and the previous Treasurer, the now Leader of the Opposition, talked about a balance, including social considerations. The Premier and I have said very clearly that on this path to true cost reflectivity for water, the ERA is one of the organisations from which we take advice when setting water prices for the future. How much clearer do we have to be for the member for Cockburn, who keeps running — Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
(2) Does the government endorse or reject the recommendations of the ERA? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question. As members may have noticed, I was a little late today because I was following up on the announcement I made the other day in the Pilbara to resume the infill sewerage project in Port Hedland. Today I also had the privilege of announcing that work on the infill sewerage program in Dawesville would recommence, as well as significant work in Falcon and Murray Bend 2A. This government and I have seriously considered the issue of the cost of water and water pricing in this state. There are significant considerations in the cost of the delivery of water, accessing water and sustaining the resource. The scarcity of water and social considerations must also be taken into account. I draw the attention of the house to the balanced assessment of the situation that the Leader of the Opposition gave in 2006 when he was the Treasurer. He said — With the drying climate in Western Australia, and unprecedented growth in the demand for water from both residential and industrial users, ensuring that water prices are set appropriately is crucial to encourage water savings and water saving technology. He went on to say — … the need for a careful balance between reflecting water costs and scarcity on the one hand and social considerations on the other … The now Leader of the Opposition made those comments when he was the Treasurer. That responsible attitude, I believe—and it is a responsible attitude—is the attitude that we have taken to date. The member for Cockburn has insinuated or suggested that there is a differing opinion. The Economic Regulation Authority is one of the bodies that we take advice from when setting the future price of water. There are other considerations, as I have said, and the previous Treasurer, the now Leader of the Opposition, talked about a balance, including social considerations. The Premier and I have said very clearly that on this path to true cost reflectivity for water, the ERA is one of the organisations from which we take advice when setting water prices for the future. How much clearer do we have to be for the member for Cockburn, who keeps running — Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)–(2) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question. As members may have noticed, I was a little late today because I was following up on the announcement I made the other day in the Pilbara to resume the infill sewerage project in Port Hedland. Today I also had the privilege of announcing that work on the infill sewerage program in Dawesville would recommence, as well as significant work in Falcon and Murray Bend 2A. This government and I have seriously considered the issue of the cost of water and water pricing in this state. There are significant considerations in the cost of the delivery of water, accessing water and sustaining the resource. The scarcity of water and social considerations must also be taken into account. I draw the attention of the house to the balanced assessment of the situation that the Leader of the Opposition gave in 2006 when he was the Treasurer. He said — With the drying climate in Western Australia, and unprecedented growth in the demand for water from both residential and industrial users, ensuring that water prices are set appropriately is crucial to encourage water savings and water saving technology. He went on to say — … the need for a careful balance between reflecting water costs and scarcity on the one hand and social considerations on the other … The now Leader of the Opposition made those comments when he was the Treasurer. That responsible attitude, I believe—and it is a responsible attitude—is the attitude that we have taken to date. The member for Cockburn has insinuated or suggested that there is a differing opinion. The Economic Regulation Authority is one of the bodies that we take advice from when setting the future price of water. There are other considerations, as I have said, and the previous Treasurer, the now Leader of the Opposition, talked about a balance, including social considerations. The Premier and I have said very clearly that on this path to true cost reflectivity for water, the ERA is one of the organisations from which we take advice when setting water prices for the future. How much clearer do we have to be for the member for Cockburn, who keeps running — Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
(1)–(2) I thank the member for Cockburn for his question. As members may have noticed, I was a little late today because I was following up on the announcement I made the other day in the Pilbara to resume the infill sewerage project in Port Hedland. Today I also had the privilege of announcing that work on the infill sewerage program in Dawesville would recommence, as well as significant work in Falcon and Murray Bend 2A. This government and I have seriously considered the issue of the cost of water and water pricing in this state. There are significant considerations in the cost of the delivery of water, accessing water and sustaining the resource. The scarcity of water and social considerations must also be taken into account. I draw the attention of the house to the balanced assessment of the situation that the Leader of the Opposition gave in 2006 when he was the Treasurer. He said — With the drying climate in Western Australia, and unprecedented growth in the demand for water from both residential and industrial users, ensuring that water prices are set appropriately is crucial to encourage water savings and water saving technology. He went on to say — … the need for a careful balance between reflecting water costs and scarcity on the one hand and social considerations on the other … The now Leader of the Opposition made those comments when he was the Treasurer. That responsible attitude, I believe—and it is a responsible attitude—is the attitude that we have taken to date. The member for Cockburn has insinuated or suggested that there is a differing opinion. The Economic Regulation Authority is one of the bodies that we take advice from when setting the future price of water. There are other considerations, as I have said, and the previous Treasurer, the now Leader of the Opposition, talked about a balance, including social considerations. The Premier and I have said very clearly that on this path to true cost reflectivity for water, the ERA is one of the organisations from which we take advice when setting water prices for the future. How much clearer do we have to be for the member for Cockburn, who keeps running — Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : He keeps running the same issues over and again. I again quote the then Treasurer, the current Leader of the Opposition. A media release from the then Treasurer states — Treasurer Eric Ripper … congratulated the ERA on a well-conducted inquiry process and said that no decisions on the report had yet been made. The then Treasurer went on to say — “The report’s findings and the views of … Western Australians will now be considered as part of the 2007–08 Budget,” … I rest my case. Members on this side take a responsible attitude in not only the management of water, but also the future cost of water in Western Australia.
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