❓ Opposition Leader Mark McGowan questions the Treasurer about the potential risks to the agricultural sector due to a public sector recruitment freeze, citing concerns raised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food. The Treasurer denies that the freeze would jeopardise agricultural trade or biosecurity.
AnsweredQoN 139Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC SECTOR RECRUITMENT FREEZE — MINISTER
FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD'S LETTER
139. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Treasurer:
I refer to reports that the
Treasurer's public sector employment freeze will jeopardise many
billions of dollars to the state's economy due to risks to the
agricultural sector.
(1) Is the
Minister for Agriculture and Food correct that this job freeze is placing the
state's agriculture export trade at risk?
(2) If yes to
(1), why is the Treasurer jeopardising thousands of jobs and placing Western Australia's
agricultural trade reputation at risk?
(3) Is freezing a
few jobs worth risking potentially billions of dollars to the agricultural
sector if it means missing a contagious disease outbreak?
FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD'S LETTER
139. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Treasurer:
I refer to reports that the
Treasurer's public sector employment freeze will jeopardise many
billions of dollars to the state's economy due to risks to the
agricultural sector.
(1) Is the
Minister for Agriculture and Food correct that this job freeze is placing the
state's agriculture export trade at risk?
(2) If yes to
(1), why is the Treasurer jeopardising thousands of jobs and placing Western Australia's
agricultural trade reputation at risk?
(3) Is freezing a
few jobs worth risking potentially billions of dollars to the agricultural
sector if it means missing a contagious disease outbreak?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) We would not
contemplate putting at risk agricultural trade or biosecurity.
Mr
M. McGowan : Well, your minister for agriculture says you are.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : I did not hear that. You are a really reliable source!
The
SPEAKER : Through the Chair, please.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : The Leader of the Opposition is relaying via telepathy ideas
from the Minister for Agriculture and Food in the other house. That is really
reliable! We have not, would not and will not put at risk agricultural trade or
biosecurity.
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro! Have you finished, minister?
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : Yes.
contemplate putting at risk agricultural trade or biosecurity.
Mr
M. McGowan : Well, your minister for agriculture says you are.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : I did not hear that. You are a really reliable source!
The
SPEAKER : Through the Chair, please.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : The Leader of the Opposition is relaying via telepathy ideas
from the Minister for Agriculture and Food in the other house. That is really
reliable! We have not, would not and will not put at risk agricultural trade or
biosecurity.
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro! Have you finished, minister?
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : Yes.
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