❓ The Minister for State Development addresses the House regarding the Ravensthorpe nickel project, highlighting the State Government's $18.4 million commitment to common-user infrastructure and the project's focus on a local workforce. He criticises the federal government's lack of support and past tax decisions.
AnsweredQoN 423Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RAVENSTHORPE NICKEL PROJECT, GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE
I understand that the Minister for State Development recently announced that the State Government would provide $18.4 million to assist in the establishment of the Ravensthorpe nickel project. Will the minister tell the House more about this commitment? Mr BROWN
I understand that the Minister for State Development recently announced that the State Government would provide $18.4 million to assist in the establishment of the Ravensthorpe nickel project. Will the minister tell the House more about this commitment? Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I am sorry that members opposite are not interested in this very important development. This is a BHP-Billiton development at Ravensthorpe. It provides the opportunity for investment of $945 million and potentially the creation of an additional 300 jobs in the immediate area. Importantly this project proposes to use a local work force, that is not fly-in, fly-out, and that is why the Government is keen to support it. One of the key issues raised by many people in this country area is the degree to which fly in, fly out arrangements have disadvantaged people in remote locations. Mr Barnett: This is Ravensthorpe! That is not the issue for the project. There are other issues, and that is not one of them. Ravensthorpe is in the south west of the State on the way to Esperance. Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I am sorry that members opposite are not interested in this very important development. This is a BHP-Billiton development at Ravensthorpe. It provides the opportunity for investment of $945 million and potentially the creation of an additional 300 jobs in the immediate area. Importantly this project proposes to use a local work force, that is not fly-in, fly-out, and that is why the Government is keen to support it. One of the key issues raised by many people in this country area is the degree to which fly in, fly out arrangements have disadvantaged people in remote locations. Mr Barnett: This is Ravensthorpe! That is not the issue for the project. There are other issues, and that is not one of them. Ravensthorpe is in the south west of the State on the way to Esperance. Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I am sorry that members opposite are not interested in this very important development. This is a BHP-Billiton development at Ravensthorpe. It provides the opportunity for investment of $945 million and potentially the creation of an additional 300 jobs in the immediate area. Importantly this project proposes to use a local work force, that is not fly-in, fly-out, and that is why the Government is keen to support it. One of the key issues raised by many people in this country area is the degree to which fly in, fly out arrangements have disadvantaged people in remote locations. Mr Barnett: This is Ravensthorpe! That is not the issue for the project. There are other issues, and that is not one of them. Ravensthorpe is in the south west of the State on the way to Esperance. Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr Barnett: This is Ravensthorpe! That is not the issue for the project. There are other issues, and that is not one of them. Ravensthorpe is in the south west of the State on the way to Esperance. Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I am sorry that members opposite are not interested in this very important development. This is a BHP-Billiton development at Ravensthorpe. It provides the opportunity for investment of $945 million and potentially the creation of an additional 300 jobs in the immediate area. Importantly this project proposes to use a local work force, that is not fly-in, fly-out, and that is why the Government is keen to support it. One of the key issues raised by many people in this country area is the degree to which fly in, fly out arrangements have disadvantaged people in remote locations. Mr Barnett: This is Ravensthorpe! That is not the issue for the project. There are other issues, and that is not one of them. Ravensthorpe is in the south west of the State on the way to Esperance. Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I am sorry that members opposite are not interested in this very important development. This is a BHP-Billiton development at Ravensthorpe. It provides the opportunity for investment of $945 million and potentially the creation of an additional 300 jobs in the immediate area. Importantly this project proposes to use a local work force, that is not fly-in, fly-out, and that is why the Government is keen to support it. One of the key issues raised by many people in this country area is the degree to which fly in, fly out arrangements have disadvantaged people in remote locations. Mr Barnett: This is Ravensthorpe! That is not the issue for the project. There are other issues, and that is not one of them. Ravensthorpe is in the south west of the State on the way to Esperance. Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr Barnett: This is Ravensthorpe! That is not the issue for the project. There are other issues, and that is not one of them. Ravensthorpe is in the south west of the State on the way to Esperance. Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it.
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