❓ Premier Court responds to a question about WA's economic growth prospects, citing positive forecasts from Access Economics and highlighting the government's economic achievements, particularly in employment and wages. He defends the government's policies against opposition criticism.
AnsweredQoN 258Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
The economic forecaster, Access Economics, says that the Western Australian economy is strong and that the State’s prospects are excellent. Will the Premier advise what are the prospects for economic growth in Western Australia in the foreseeable future? Mr COURT
AnswerView source ↗
It was interesting to read the Access Economics report. Last week I mentioned the strong growth of exports in Western Australia, particularly this year; it has been exceptional. The growth forecasts of Access Economics are more optimistic than the Government’s. Mr Ripper: Whereas its budget deficits are more pessimistic. Mr COURT: The member for Belmont should stop being so negative. A huge number of Western Australians have participated in the sale of a huge utility and all the Opposition can find are negatives. Can members of the Opposition not see the sunny side of anything? Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr COURT replied: It was interesting to read the Access Economics report. Last week I mentioned the strong growth of exports in Western Australia, particularly this year; it has been exceptional. The growth forecasts of Access Economics are more optimistic than the Government’s. Mr Ripper: Whereas its budget deficits are more pessimistic. Mr COURT: The member for Belmont should stop being so negative. A huge number of Western Australians have participated in the sale of a huge utility and all the Opposition can find are negatives. Can members of the Opposition not see the sunny side of anything? Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
It was interesting to read the Access Economics report. Last week I mentioned the strong growth of exports in Western Australia, particularly this year; it has been exceptional. The growth forecasts of Access Economics are more optimistic than the Government’s. Mr Ripper: Whereas its budget deficits are more pessimistic. Mr COURT: The member for Belmont should stop being so negative. A huge number of Western Australians have participated in the sale of a huge utility and all the Opposition can find are negatives. Can members of the Opposition not see the sunny side of anything? Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr Ripper: Whereas its budget deficits are more pessimistic. Mr COURT: The member for Belmont should stop being so negative. A huge number of Western Australians have participated in the sale of a huge utility and all the Opposition can find are negatives. Can members of the Opposition not see the sunny side of anything? Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr COURT: The member for Belmont should stop being so negative. A huge number of Western Australians have participated in the sale of a huge utility and all the Opposition can find are negatives. Can members of the Opposition not see the sunny side of anything? Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr COURT replied: It was interesting to read the Access Economics report. Last week I mentioned the strong growth of exports in Western Australia, particularly this year; it has been exceptional. The growth forecasts of Access Economics are more optimistic than the Government’s. Mr Ripper: Whereas its budget deficits are more pessimistic. Mr COURT: The member for Belmont should stop being so negative. A huge number of Western Australians have participated in the sale of a huge utility and all the Opposition can find are negatives. Can members of the Opposition not see the sunny side of anything? Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
It was interesting to read the Access Economics report. Last week I mentioned the strong growth of exports in Western Australia, particularly this year; it has been exceptional. The growth forecasts of Access Economics are more optimistic than the Government’s. Mr Ripper: Whereas its budget deficits are more pessimistic. Mr COURT: The member for Belmont should stop being so negative. A huge number of Western Australians have participated in the sale of a huge utility and all the Opposition can find are negatives. Can members of the Opposition not see the sunny side of anything? Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr Ripper: Whereas its budget deficits are more pessimistic. Mr COURT: The member for Belmont should stop being so negative. A huge number of Western Australians have participated in the sale of a huge utility and all the Opposition can find are negatives. Can members of the Opposition not see the sunny side of anything? Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr COURT: The member for Belmont should stop being so negative. A huge number of Western Australians have participated in the sale of a huge utility and all the Opposition can find are negatives. Can members of the Opposition not see the sunny side of anything? Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Access Economics estimates growth of 6.5 per cent in 1999-2000, 5 per cent in 2000-01 and 5.9 per cent in 2001-02. Access Economics stated that there would be a positive effect nationwide on exports, and that much of that will be concentrated in the west. It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
It is exciting to see that this State is expecting strong economic growth, even though there will be some difficulties within the economy. There is no doubt that the agricultural sector will experience difficulties this season, particularly in the southern region. The last thing we want is for this tremendous strength of our economy, this optimism, to be threatened. The thought of the members opposite going into government so that they can change industrial relations and the like makes us work even harder on this side of the Parliament. What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
What community benefits flow from this? Last week we heard about terrific unemployment levels. The unemployment rate was below 6 per cent, the female unemployment rate was below 5 per cent, and the youth unemployment figures were the lowest that this State has had for a long time. However, I can recall, in this House, when the Opposition opposed every step of those industrial relations changes. The Opposition said that it would lead to declining wage levels and the like. Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr Kobelke: It has. Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr COURT: Let us consider the facts. Average weekly earnings for full-time Western Australian adult workers in the year to June 2000 showed the largest annual growth of any Australian State. Full-time adult ordinary time earnings in Western Australia in 1999-2000 grew by 4.4 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent. Full-time adult earnings in Western Australia in the June quarter registered at $805.20, compared with the national average of $783. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
The SPEAKER: Order! Last week I made a statement to the House and I indicated that perhaps the rules will be adjusted to take into account the way in which things are developing in question time. However, I do not expect ministers to be interjecting on the Premier and I do not expect other members to be interjecting across the Chamber. Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
Mr COURT: New South Wales is the only State with a slightly higher average weekly earning than Western Australia. That State has a significantly higher cost of living. It was interesting to hear the Leader of the Opposition last week say, “Well, of course, the economy has been belting along.” One can bet it has been. It is not by accident. This is a result of the benefits of a number of significant policy changes. One relates to the successful sale today of AlintaGas. This Government has moved to the full deregulation of the gas market. Just as it has brought flexibility into the labour market, it has moved towards full competition in areas such as the gas market. That has facilitated the changes that this Government has carried out. On the question of the AlintaGas sale, I listened to the minister’s statement with some interest. It is this Government’s third significant sale - BankWest, the pipeline and AlintaGas - and I take this opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the minister for overseeing this successful process. I also thank the committee - Des Kelly, Les Farrant, John Langoulant and Phil Harvey. They have provided very good advice. It has been a professional process and one of which all Western Australians can be proud.
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