❓ Question regarding government support for rural WA during a severe drought, criticising the response as inadequate and politically motivated. The Premier defends the government's actions and accuses the opposition of hypocrisy.
AnsweredQoN 203Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RURAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA, GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Given that country Western Australia has been hit by the worst drought disaster in this State’s history, which is likely to cost thousands of country people their jobs, businesses and homes - (1) Does the Premier acknowledge that he was warned by country members five weeks ago in this House of the need for health, education and other support in rural Western Australia? (2) Does the Premier acknowledge that so far his only response to country people has been to unleash the McGinty Bill, which takes political representation away from them at the time of their greatest need? Dr GALLOP
Given that country Western Australia has been hit by the worst drought disaster in this State’s history, which is likely to cost thousands of country people their jobs, businesses and homes - (1) Does the Premier acknowledge that he was warned by country members five weeks ago in this House of the need for health, education and other support in rural Western Australia? (2) Does the Premier acknowledge that so far his only response to country people has been to unleash the McGinty Bill, which takes political representation away from them at the time of their greatest need? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The Government of Western Australia takes very seriously the drought and the effects it is having on industry and communities. Quite frankly, it is pretty poor form on the part of the Leader of the National Party to link that issue to the debate on electoral reform in this State. I remind the Leader of the National Party that he stood by idly when the Government of which he was a part compromised the uniform electricity tariff and introduced the gold tax in Western Australia; yet he comes into this Parliament and tries to lecture the Government on the interests of country people. Members on this side of the House take the needs of country people very seriously, and we are working to ensure that there is equal opportunity. Western Australia now has probably one of the best agricultural ministers this State has ever had. He has travelled throughout the agricultural areas, consulted widely with the people and come up with a package of measures. Mr Barnett: How much money have you given in addition to what the previous Government gave? Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
(1) Does the Premier acknowledge that he was warned by country members five weeks ago in this House of the need for health, education and other support in rural Western Australia? (2) Does the Premier acknowledge that so far his only response to country people has been to unleash the McGinty Bill, which takes political representation away from them at the time of their greatest need? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Government of Western Australia takes very seriously the drought and the effects it is having on industry and communities. Quite frankly, it is pretty poor form on the part of the Leader of the National Party to link that issue to the debate on electoral reform in this State. I remind the Leader of the National Party that he stood by idly when the Government of which he was a part compromised the uniform electricity tariff and introduced the gold tax in Western Australia; yet he comes into this Parliament and tries to lecture the Government on the interests of country people. Members on this side of the House take the needs of country people very seriously, and we are working to ensure that there is equal opportunity. Western Australia now has probably one of the best agricultural ministers this State has ever had. He has travelled throughout the agricultural areas, consulted widely with the people and come up with a package of measures. Mr Barnett: How much money have you given in addition to what the previous Government gave? Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
(2) Does the Premier acknowledge that so far his only response to country people has been to unleash the McGinty Bill, which takes political representation away from them at the time of their greatest need? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Government of Western Australia takes very seriously the drought and the effects it is having on industry and communities. Quite frankly, it is pretty poor form on the part of the Leader of the National Party to link that issue to the debate on electoral reform in this State. I remind the Leader of the National Party that he stood by idly when the Government of which he was a part compromised the uniform electricity tariff and introduced the gold tax in Western Australia; yet he comes into this Parliament and tries to lecture the Government on the interests of country people. Members on this side of the House take the needs of country people very seriously, and we are working to ensure that there is equal opportunity. Western Australia now has probably one of the best agricultural ministers this State has ever had. He has travelled throughout the agricultural areas, consulted widely with the people and come up with a package of measures. Mr Barnett: How much money have you given in addition to what the previous Government gave? Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Government of Western Australia takes very seriously the drought and the effects it is having on industry and communities. Quite frankly, it is pretty poor form on the part of the Leader of the National Party to link that issue to the debate on electoral reform in this State. I remind the Leader of the National Party that he stood by idly when the Government of which he was a part compromised the uniform electricity tariff and introduced the gold tax in Western Australia; yet he comes into this Parliament and tries to lecture the Government on the interests of country people. Members on this side of the House take the needs of country people very seriously, and we are working to ensure that there is equal opportunity. Western Australia now has probably one of the best agricultural ministers this State has ever had. He has travelled throughout the agricultural areas, consulted widely with the people and come up with a package of measures. Mr Barnett: How much money have you given in addition to what the previous Government gave? Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
(1)-(2) The Government of Western Australia takes very seriously the drought and the effects it is having on industry and communities. Quite frankly, it is pretty poor form on the part of the Leader of the National Party to link that issue to the debate on electoral reform in this State. I remind the Leader of the National Party that he stood by idly when the Government of which he was a part compromised the uniform electricity tariff and introduced the gold tax in Western Australia; yet he comes into this Parliament and tries to lecture the Government on the interests of country people. Members on this side of the House take the needs of country people very seriously, and we are working to ensure that there is equal opportunity. Western Australia now has probably one of the best agricultural ministers this State has ever had. He has travelled throughout the agricultural areas, consulted widely with the people and come up with a package of measures. Mr Barnett: How much money have you given in addition to what the previous Government gave? Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
(1) Does the Premier acknowledge that he was warned by country members five weeks ago in this House of the need for health, education and other support in rural Western Australia? (2) Does the Premier acknowledge that so far his only response to country people has been to unleash the McGinty Bill, which takes political representation away from them at the time of their greatest need? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Government of Western Australia takes very seriously the drought and the effects it is having on industry and communities. Quite frankly, it is pretty poor form on the part of the Leader of the National Party to link that issue to the debate on electoral reform in this State. I remind the Leader of the National Party that he stood by idly when the Government of which he was a part compromised the uniform electricity tariff and introduced the gold tax in Western Australia; yet he comes into this Parliament and tries to lecture the Government on the interests of country people. Members on this side of the House take the needs of country people very seriously, and we are working to ensure that there is equal opportunity. Western Australia now has probably one of the best agricultural ministers this State has ever had. He has travelled throughout the agricultural areas, consulted widely with the people and come up with a package of measures. Mr Barnett: How much money have you given in addition to what the previous Government gave? Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
(2) Does the Premier acknowledge that so far his only response to country people has been to unleash the McGinty Bill, which takes political representation away from them at the time of their greatest need? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Government of Western Australia takes very seriously the drought and the effects it is having on industry and communities. Quite frankly, it is pretty poor form on the part of the Leader of the National Party to link that issue to the debate on electoral reform in this State. I remind the Leader of the National Party that he stood by idly when the Government of which he was a part compromised the uniform electricity tariff and introduced the gold tax in Western Australia; yet he comes into this Parliament and tries to lecture the Government on the interests of country people. Members on this side of the House take the needs of country people very seriously, and we are working to ensure that there is equal opportunity. Western Australia now has probably one of the best agricultural ministers this State has ever had. He has travelled throughout the agricultural areas, consulted widely with the people and come up with a package of measures. Mr Barnett: How much money have you given in addition to what the previous Government gave? Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The Government of Western Australia takes very seriously the drought and the effects it is having on industry and communities. Quite frankly, it is pretty poor form on the part of the Leader of the National Party to link that issue to the debate on electoral reform in this State. I remind the Leader of the National Party that he stood by idly when the Government of which he was a part compromised the uniform electricity tariff and introduced the gold tax in Western Australia; yet he comes into this Parliament and tries to lecture the Government on the interests of country people. Members on this side of the House take the needs of country people very seriously, and we are working to ensure that there is equal opportunity. Western Australia now has probably one of the best agricultural ministers this State has ever had. He has travelled throughout the agricultural areas, consulted widely with the people and come up with a package of measures. Mr Barnett: How much money have you given in addition to what the previous Government gave? Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
(1)-(2) The Government of Western Australia takes very seriously the drought and the effects it is having on industry and communities. Quite frankly, it is pretty poor form on the part of the Leader of the National Party to link that issue to the debate on electoral reform in this State. I remind the Leader of the National Party that he stood by idly when the Government of which he was a part compromised the uniform electricity tariff and introduced the gold tax in Western Australia; yet he comes into this Parliament and tries to lecture the Government on the interests of country people. Members on this side of the House take the needs of country people very seriously, and we are working to ensure that there is equal opportunity. Western Australia now has probably one of the best agricultural ministers this State has ever had. He has travelled throughout the agricultural areas, consulted widely with the people and come up with a package of measures. Mr Barnett: How much money have you given in addition to what the previous Government gave? Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Dr GALLOP: This Government has unleashed money from the trust fund. There was a bit of a problem - the member for Stirling could tell us a bit about this - because the trust fund that existed to look after farmers in need had somehow or other been virtually emptied when the Labor Party came into government. In a shameful way, the previous Government emptied that trust fund, so when it was really needed, funds were not available. That is the performance of the National Party. Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Mr House: Don’t tell lies! Points of Order Mr McGOWAN: It hardly needs to be said that the member for Stirling is accusing the Premier of telling a lie, and he knows full well that is unparliamentary. Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Mr DAY: I think the member said, “Don’t tell lies”, rather than calling somebody a liar, which is not unparliamentary. Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Mr TRENORDEN: I think this is the first time in 15 years that I have spoken on a point of order. The procedures of this House are clear. What the member for Stirling said was not out of order. The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
The SPEAKER: I listened to what the member said, and he did not imply that the Premier had told lies; he suggested that he should not. That is very close, but it does not breach the rules. I am sure the member for Stirling has been around long enough not to contravene that standing order. Questions without Notice Resumed Dr GALLOP: First, resources within government have been mobilised to help communities; secondly, the Government has taken money from the trust fund that was set up to deal with these matters to further assist farmers with feeding their stock; thirdly, the Government is continuing to lobby the Commonwealth to change the exceptional circumstances criteria so that justice will be done for Western Australia; and, fourthly, the Government has pressed the Commonwealth Government on this matter. As a result of the good work of the Minister for Agriculture and others in the rural community, particularly the Western Australian Farmers Federation, the Government convinced the Prime Minister to visit some of the affected areas so that he could see the extent of the problem, and he has released some money to deal with the situation. An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
An opposition member: You are trying to claim the credit for it. Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
Dr GALLOP: I did not claim the credit for it. I just said that we played a role in that process. The Government of Western Australia is doing everything it can to assist farmers who are experiencing this serious drought, and it will continue to do so.
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