Hon Simon O'Brien repeatedly questions the Treasurer's confidence in the Perth to Mandurah rail project's budget, given past cost overruns and a contractor seeking release. The representing minister deflects, citing advice from the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and denying knowledge of budget impacts.

AnsweredQoN 222Legislative Council
Asked
3 May 2006
Portfolio
minister representing the Treasurer

QuestionView source ↗

PERTH TO MANDURAH RAIL PROJECT - BUDGET
I note the intention of a principal contractor to seek release from the troubled Perth to Mandurah rail project. Hon Graham Giffard interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! The acting Leader of the Opposition is asking a question. I heard the interjection. Let us allow the member a bit of leeway. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : I ask - (1) Given the history of cost blow-outs, does the Treasurer have any confidence that the costs of the project will not escalate further? (2) What are the potential impacts upon the imminent and future budgets of the latest row over the project? (3) Has the Treasurer discussed with the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure the likely need to make further budget allocations to the project, now or in the future; and if not, why not? Hon JON FORD

AnswerView source ↗

The Minister for Education and Training, who represents the Treasurer, has provided the following answer - (1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
Hon Graham Giffard interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! The acting Leader of the Opposition is asking a question. I heard the interjection. Let us allow the member a bit of leeway. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : I ask - (1) Given the history of cost blow-outs, does the Treasurer have any confidence that the costs of the project will not escalate further? (2) What are the potential impacts upon the imminent and future budgets of the latest row over the project? (3) Has the Treasurer discussed with the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure the likely need to make further budget allocations to the project, now or in the future; and if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: The Minister for Education and Training, who represents the Treasurer, has provided the following answer - (1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
The PRESIDENT : Order! The acting Leader of the Opposition is asking a question. I heard the interjection. Let us allow the member a bit of leeway. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : I ask - (1) Given the history of cost blow-outs, does the Treasurer have any confidence that the costs of the project will not escalate further? (2) What are the potential impacts upon the imminent and future budgets of the latest row over the project? (3) Has the Treasurer discussed with the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure the likely need to make further budget allocations to the project, now or in the future; and if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: The Minister for Education and Training, who represents the Treasurer, has provided the following answer - (1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : I ask - (1) Given the history of cost blow-outs, does the Treasurer have any confidence that the costs of the project will not escalate further? (2) What are the potential impacts upon the imminent and future budgets of the latest row over the project? (3) Has the Treasurer discussed with the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure the likely need to make further budget allocations to the project, now or in the future; and if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: The Minister for Education and Training, who represents the Treasurer, has provided the following answer - (1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
(1) Given the history of cost blow-outs, does the Treasurer have any confidence that the costs of the project will not escalate further? (2) What are the potential impacts upon the imminent and future budgets of the latest row over the project? (3) Has the Treasurer discussed with the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure the likely need to make further budget allocations to the project, now or in the future; and if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: The Minister for Education and Training, who represents the Treasurer, has provided the following answer - (1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
(2) What are the potential impacts upon the imminent and future budgets of the latest row over the project? (3) Has the Treasurer discussed with the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure the likely need to make further budget allocations to the project, now or in the future; and if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: The Minister for Education and Training, who represents the Treasurer, has provided the following answer - (1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
(3) Has the Treasurer discussed with the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure the likely need to make further budget allocations to the project, now or in the future; and if not, why not? Hon JON FORD replied: The Minister for Education and Training, who represents the Treasurer, has provided the following answer - (1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
Hon JON FORD replied: The Minister for Education and Training, who represents the Treasurer, has provided the following answer - (1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
The Minister for Education and Training, who represents the Treasurer, has provided the following answer - (1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
(1) The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has advised that the latest decisions about the budget and timing for the project have been made based on the best information available at the time. (2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
(2) This question should be directed to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. However, I have not been informed of any potential impacts on the budget for the project. (3) No.
(3) No.

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