❓ Mrs. Hayden questions Premier McGowan about cost-of-living increases impacting seniors, referencing a Liberal campaign promise. McGowan defends his government's financial management, citing lower fee increases compared to the previous government and a recent credit rating upgrade.
AnsweredQoN 416Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SENIORS —
COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES
416. Mrs A.K. HAYDEN to the Premier:
I
refer to the Premier's $850 a year cost-of-living increases that the
federal Liberal government campaigned on and highlighted so effectively
in seats across Western Australia. Will the Premier now admit that his massive
cost-of-living increases are hurting seniors, and will he apologise to them for
trying to inflict the retiree tax on Western Australians?
COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES
416. Mrs A.K. HAYDEN to the Premier:
I
refer to the Premier's $850 a year cost-of-living increases that the
federal Liberal government campaigned on and highlighted so effectively
in seats across Western Australia. Will the Premier now admit that his massive
cost-of-living increases are hurting seniors, and will he apologise to them for
trying to inflict the retiree tax on Western Australians?
AnswerView source ↗
My God! We handed down the budget a
few weeks ago. Due to our good financial management, we have been able to put
in place the lowest increase in fees and charges in 13 years. During the former
government's eight and a half years in office, electricity and water
charges went up by 90 per cent. Do the maths. It put them up in excess of 10 per
cent per annum. In our first three years in office, we have put them up by less
than half what the former government did in its first three years in office,
despite the fact that it left us with the highest level of debt in history.
Then the member has the audacity, although that is a complimentary word in
terms of her question, to come into this chamber and raise these matters.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Darling Range, I call you to order for the third time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : They were the
lowest in 13 years. The former government left us with $40 billion plus of
debt. It left us with the biggest deficits in history. It left us with an
economy in recession, yet the member comes in here and raises these issues. We
have done an enormous amount to get the finances in check and to also ensure
that we can keep the cost-of-living increases as low as we can. We have kept
them to their lowest level in 13 years.
Last week, due to our financial
management, Moody's Corporation, the international credit rating agency
that looks at governments all over the word and gives them credit ratings—based
in New York, I think—said that because of this government's
management of the finances, we have had a credit rating upgrade. That is what
has occurred. Yes, it did.
Mr A. Krsticevic interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Carine, I call you to order for the third time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : That is the
recent history of Western Australia. That is what this government has been able
to achieve. I say to the people of Western Australia that we would love to be
able to do more but, unfortunately, the Liberals and Nationals left us with $40
billion of debt. That is the truth of the matter. Their financial management
was abysmal and they know it. Those opposition members who have any understanding
of history know it and they should be ashamed. The pretenders in the front row
of the Liberal Party should apologise.
few weeks ago. Due to our good financial management, we have been able to put
in place the lowest increase in fees and charges in 13 years. During the former
government's eight and a half years in office, electricity and water
charges went up by 90 per cent. Do the maths. It put them up in excess of 10 per
cent per annum. In our first three years in office, we have put them up by less
than half what the former government did in its first three years in office,
despite the fact that it left us with the highest level of debt in history.
Then the member has the audacity, although that is a complimentary word in
terms of her question, to come into this chamber and raise these matters.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Darling Range, I call you to order for the third time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : They were the
lowest in 13 years. The former government left us with $40 billion plus of
debt. It left us with the biggest deficits in history. It left us with an
economy in recession, yet the member comes in here and raises these issues. We
have done an enormous amount to get the finances in check and to also ensure
that we can keep the cost-of-living increases as low as we can. We have kept
them to their lowest level in 13 years.
Last week, due to our financial
management, Moody's Corporation, the international credit rating agency
that looks at governments all over the word and gives them credit ratings—based
in New York, I think—said that because of this government's
management of the finances, we have had a credit rating upgrade. That is what
has occurred. Yes, it did.
Mr A. Krsticevic interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Carine, I call you to order for the third time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : That is the
recent history of Western Australia. That is what this government has been able
to achieve. I say to the people of Western Australia that we would love to be
able to do more but, unfortunately, the Liberals and Nationals left us with $40
billion of debt. That is the truth of the matter. Their financial management
was abysmal and they know it. Those opposition members who have any understanding
of history know it and they should be ashamed. The pretenders in the front row
of the Liberal Party should apologise.
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