❓ Mr. Carey asks about the state government's record donation to Telethon and its impact on WA children. The Premier responds by highlighting Telethon's importance, acknowledging contributors, and detailing how the funds will be used.
AnsweredQoN 992Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TELETHON — STATE
GOVERNMENT DONATION
992. Mr J.N. CAREY to the Premier:
I refer to the record donation from
the state government on the weekend to Telethon. Why did the government choose
to make this donation and what will it mean for the children of Western Australia?
GOVERNMENT DONATION
992. Mr J.N. CAREY to the Premier:
I refer to the record donation from
the state government on the weekend to Telethon. Why did the government choose
to make this donation and what will it mean for the children of Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Perth for the
question. Telethon is one of Western Australia's great achievements and
great institutions. It brings together the generosity of the citizens of our
state, whether they are rich or poor, and channels that generosity into funding
some of our best and brightest minds and helping some of the most vulnerable
children in our community, in both the city and the regions. It inspires us to
think beyond ourselves and to give to the institution and have that money go to
our kids. I acknowledge the great work of Telethon and the life-changing research of the Telethon Kids Institute. I also
acknowledge the people of Western Australia who donated to Telethon the
sum of $42.6 million over the weekend—a record amount. I thank everyone
across the state who did that.
We were fortunate—it was a pleasure,
actually—to be able to announce the state government's
contribution of $3.5 million from the
taxpayers of Western Australia to Telethon at the Telethon dinner on Saturday
night. This is a record state government contribution. It was a wonderful
event. I congratulate everyone for hosting it, and particularly Basil Zempilas
for his outstanding contribution and for making the evening enjoyable and
memorable. I also acknowledge the
contribution of the commonwealth government. The donations from the state, the
commonwealth and everyone else will go to children's hospitals,
medical research facilities, community organisations to support the latest
equipment and services, therapies and programs. They will also go towards
leveraging further research into child and adolescent health. The Prime
Minister was at the dinner on Saturday evening and he graciously matched the
state government's contribution of $3.5 million. It was very pleasing
that Telethon was able to receive that donation. As I have said too many times
to count, we love it when the federal government gives money to Western Australia,
and we think we are quite good at securing it from it.
I would like to acknowledge all
those involved in Telethon, from the top to the bottom; in particular, Kerry
Stokes and Richard Goyder, and all the organisers and volunteers. I went to the
phone room where people sat all day answering calls. They were terrific. I also
acknowledge those who did the HBF challenge, which was 24 hours of spin biking—the
bikes that one operates with one's arms. I acknowledge them. I saw them
on Saturday evening and again on Sunday evening. It was an extraordinary
effort. They do that for sponsorships.
Mr R.H. Cook : They raised
$275 000.
Mr M. McGOWAN : They raised
$275 000 through 24 hours of exercise each. It was an incredible effort. The
Minister for Health showed up and did it for two hours. That was terrific, but
he looked more exhausted than they did after their 24 hours!
I would like to acknowledge Soa
Palelei—I have seen him every year at Telethon. My daughter actually
asked whether he was ''The Rock''. He said he is ''The
Australian Rock''. He was there, doing it all day and all night. I thank
everyone who participated. It was a great Western Australian achievement.
question. Telethon is one of Western Australia's great achievements and
great institutions. It brings together the generosity of the citizens of our
state, whether they are rich or poor, and channels that generosity into funding
some of our best and brightest minds and helping some of the most vulnerable
children in our community, in both the city and the regions. It inspires us to
think beyond ourselves and to give to the institution and have that money go to
our kids. I acknowledge the great work of Telethon and the life-changing research of the Telethon Kids Institute. I also
acknowledge the people of Western Australia who donated to Telethon the
sum of $42.6 million over the weekend—a record amount. I thank everyone
across the state who did that.
We were fortunate—it was a pleasure,
actually—to be able to announce the state government's
contribution of $3.5 million from the
taxpayers of Western Australia to Telethon at the Telethon dinner on Saturday
night. This is a record state government contribution. It was a wonderful
event. I congratulate everyone for hosting it, and particularly Basil Zempilas
for his outstanding contribution and for making the evening enjoyable and
memorable. I also acknowledge the
contribution of the commonwealth government. The donations from the state, the
commonwealth and everyone else will go to children's hospitals,
medical research facilities, community organisations to support the latest
equipment and services, therapies and programs. They will also go towards
leveraging further research into child and adolescent health. The Prime
Minister was at the dinner on Saturday evening and he graciously matched the
state government's contribution of $3.5 million. It was very pleasing
that Telethon was able to receive that donation. As I have said too many times
to count, we love it when the federal government gives money to Western Australia,
and we think we are quite good at securing it from it.
I would like to acknowledge all
those involved in Telethon, from the top to the bottom; in particular, Kerry
Stokes and Richard Goyder, and all the organisers and volunteers. I went to the
phone room where people sat all day answering calls. They were terrific. I also
acknowledge those who did the HBF challenge, which was 24 hours of spin biking—the
bikes that one operates with one's arms. I acknowledge them. I saw them
on Saturday evening and again on Sunday evening. It was an extraordinary
effort. They do that for sponsorships.
Mr R.H. Cook : They raised
$275 000.
Mr M. McGOWAN : They raised
$275 000 through 24 hours of exercise each. It was an incredible effort. The
Minister for Health showed up and did it for two hours. That was terrific, but
he looked more exhausted than they did after their 24 hours!
I would like to acknowledge Soa
Palelei—I have seen him every year at Telethon. My daughter actually
asked whether he was ''The Rock''. He said he is ''The
Australian Rock''. He was there, doing it all day and all night. I thank
everyone who participated. It was a great Western Australian achievement.
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