❓ Opposition questions Premier about the Oakajee Port agreement, specifically regarding transparency and compliance with financial regulations related to tabling the agreement and notifying the Auditor General. The Premier deflects, accusing the opposition of hindering the project.
AnsweredQoN 52Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
OAKAJEE PORT AGREEMENT
I note again that this is the first Premier ever to sign a development agreement preferencing foreign jobs instead of local jobs. (1) In August 2009, the Premier refused to table the Oakajee port agreement citing that sections of the document were commercial in confidence. Since this time, 18 months ago, has the Premier notified the Auditor General of his decision and of his reasons for making that decision to not table the document? (2) Does the Premier’s failure to table this decision contravene section 82 of the Financial Management Act 2006; and, is the Premier not aware that under this act and the accompanying Auditor General Act, it is the Auditor General who makes a public determination of whether something is legitimately withheld from the Parliament, not the minister? The SPEAKER : Prior to answering, Premier, I advise you and others members in this place that seeking legal opinions in this place is not the role of a question. I preface my remarks to you, Premier, in that respect before you answer. Mr C.J. BARNETT
I note again that this is the first Premier ever to sign a development agreement preferencing foreign jobs instead of local jobs. (1) In August 2009, the Premier refused to table the Oakajee port agreement citing that sections of the document were commercial in confidence. Since this time, 18 months ago, has the Premier notified the Auditor General of his decision and of his reasons for making that decision to not table the document? (2) Does the Premier’s failure to table this decision contravene section 82 of the Financial Management Act 2006; and, is the Premier not aware that under this act and the accompanying Auditor General Act, it is the Auditor General who makes a public determination of whether something is legitimately withheld from the Parliament, not the minister? The SPEAKER : Prior to answering, Premier, I advise you and others members in this place that seeking legal opinions in this place is not the role of a question. I preface my remarks to you, Premier, in that respect before you answer. Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
(1) In August 2009, the Premier refused to table the Oakajee port agreement citing that sections of the document were commercial in confidence. Since this time, 18 months ago, has the Premier notified the Auditor General of his decision and of his reasons for making that decision to not table the document? (2) Does the Premier’s failure to table this decision contravene section 82 of the Financial Management Act 2006; and, is the Premier not aware that under this act and the accompanying Auditor General Act, it is the Auditor General who makes a public determination of whether something is legitimately withheld from the Parliament, not the minister? The SPEAKER : Prior to answering, Premier, I advise you and others members in this place that seeking legal opinions in this place is not the role of a question. I preface my remarks to you, Premier, in that respect before you answer. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
(2) Does the Premier’s failure to table this decision contravene section 82 of the Financial Management Act 2006; and, is the Premier not aware that under this act and the accompanying Auditor General Act, it is the Auditor General who makes a public determination of whether something is legitimately withheld from the Parliament, not the minister? The SPEAKER : Prior to answering, Premier, I advise you and others members in this place that seeking legal opinions in this place is not the role of a question. I preface my remarks to you, Premier, in that respect before you answer. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
The SPEAKER : Prior to answering, Premier, I advise you and others members in this place that seeking legal opinions in this place is not the role of a question. I preface my remarks to you, Premier, in that respect before you answer. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
(1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
(1) In August 2009, the Premier refused to table the Oakajee port agreement citing that sections of the document were commercial in confidence. Since this time, 18 months ago, has the Premier notified the Auditor General of his decision and of his reasons for making that decision to not table the document? (2) Does the Premier’s failure to table this decision contravene section 82 of the Financial Management Act 2006; and, is the Premier not aware that under this act and the accompanying Auditor General Act, it is the Auditor General who makes a public determination of whether something is legitimately withheld from the Parliament, not the minister? The SPEAKER : Prior to answering, Premier, I advise you and others members in this place that seeking legal opinions in this place is not the role of a question. I preface my remarks to you, Premier, in that respect before you answer. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
(2) Does the Premier’s failure to table this decision contravene section 82 of the Financial Management Act 2006; and, is the Premier not aware that under this act and the accompanying Auditor General Act, it is the Auditor General who makes a public determination of whether something is legitimately withheld from the Parliament, not the minister? The SPEAKER : Prior to answering, Premier, I advise you and others members in this place that seeking legal opinions in this place is not the role of a question. I preface my remarks to you, Premier, in that respect before you answer. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
The SPEAKER : Prior to answering, Premier, I advise you and others members in this place that seeking legal opinions in this place is not the role of a question. I preface my remarks to you, Premier, in that respect before you answer. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
(1)–(2) I just make the observation in answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question that the Labor Party will stop at nothing to damage the Oakajee project. The Labor Party will use every contrivance it can to try to make sure that project does not happen. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We had a parliamentary — Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Ms M.M. Quirk : What have you got to hide, Premier? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nothing—absolutely nothing. I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
I remind members that we had a parliamentary committee that looked into infrastructure, government funding and, in particular, the Oakajee project. Indeed, copies of that report, admittedly some blacked out, were provided to the committee. Members opposite are still not satisfied. Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You have an obligation under the law, which you haven’t abided by. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition is a legal expert, pursue it. Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What arrogance! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is not arrogant. I actually want to get this project up; I do not want to destroy it. Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr M. McGowan : What’s happened? Two and a half years—and nothing. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is very difficult because of the way in which the Labor Party set it up with Japan versus China. It set it up with inherent conflicts of interest. Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It just shows why the Labor Party could not get major projects underway in this state. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Oakajee project will almost certainly end up as a state agreement act, which will come before this Parliament in all its glory and all its detail. That will be the proper time in which the opposition can scrutinise it, and if it wishes to vote against development at Oakajee, please do so. But this side of the house will support development in the Mid West and — Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr E.S. Ripper : If you want us to vote for it, don’t put in a clause preferencing foreign jobs. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This side of the house wants to see development in this state, particularly in the Geraldton and Mid West region. The way in which the preferred bidder process was set up has made it extremely difficult. I am working as hard as I can to try to encourage, if we like, a re-arrangement of the structure of Oakajee Port and Rail. If that can be achieved, I am confident that some of the conflicts will disappear, but this project has a whole host of inherent imbalances. The basic economics of the project, however, are very strong. Indeed, projects such as Karara and others are already into the construction stage and will desperately need the port to export, particularly while demand and prices are at, basically, record levels. Therefore, we will continue to try to achieve that. It frustrates me that we have not got as far as I would like to have got. That is why to this point I have not given Oakajee Port and Rail an extension. I want to see a fair bit more movement at the station on its part before we grant that extension, because I assure you, Mr Speaker, I and this government are absolutely determined to see that port and rail infrastructure developed. Members opposite can continue to try to hinder it but they will not succeed. Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr M. McGowan : Are you going to give them an extension? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will give it an extension when I am satisfied that there has been sufficient movement in the corporate structure of Oakajee Port and Rail.
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MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.