Opposition Leader Mark McGowan questions the Premier regarding the Treasurer's comments linking Royalties for Regions to high deficits and debt. The Premier deflects, stating he didn't hear the comments and suggests the opposition ask the Treasurer directly.

AnsweredQoN 171Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 March 2016
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

ROYALTIES FOR REGIONS — TREASURER'S
COMMENTS
171. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Treasurer's
comments on radio this morning that one of the reasons we have very high
deficits and debt is that we have been borrowing for royalties for regions.
(1) Does the Premier agree with the
Treasurer's comments about royalties for regions?
(2) If he does,
is he planning any measures to change how royalties for regions is funded, or
how much is spent under that program?

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(2) I
did not hear the Treasurer's comments, and I expect that if the
opposition wants a commentary on the Treasurer's comments, it should
ask the Treasurer.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I have a real job; I am working, unlike members opposite. I did
not hear his comments, but the government has a number of measures to improve
our fiscal position. Privatisation is one of them; the freeze on recruitment is
another; reviews of agency budgets is another; and wages policy is yet another.
All of those measures are in place, and we are curtailing expenditure. Every
area of government expenditure is under continuous review, including royalties
for regions.

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