❓ Barnett questions Premier Gallop about misleading statements regarding electricity price reductions for regional businesses. Gallop admits to an error in a press release but defends the policy and deflects by criticizing Barnett's own statements.
AnsweredQoN 122Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ELECTRICITY PRICES, REGIONAL SMALL BUSINESSES AND FARMS
In a media statement of 6 June this year, the Premier announced lower electricity prices for regional small businesses and farms. The Premier stated - “It means more than 5,500 commercial power consumers throughout the State . . . will now pay 16 cents per unit of electricity rather than 20 cents under Mr Barnett’s power slug.” I ask - (1) Given that around only 50 large energy consumers will benefit, as was pointed out by the Opposition, will the Premier now apologise in this House for grossly misleading small regional businesses? (2) Was this hopelessly inaccurate information supplied by the Minister for Energy? (3) If yes to the above, does the Premier have any confidence in the bumbling Minister for Energy to handle even the most simple issue of energy industry structure and competition? Dr GALLOP
In a media statement of 6 June this year, the Premier announced lower electricity prices for regional small businesses and farms. The Premier stated - “It means more than 5,500 commercial power consumers throughout the State . . . will now pay 16 cents per unit of electricity rather than 20 cents under Mr Barnett’s power slug.” I ask - (1) Given that around only 50 large energy consumers will benefit, as was pointed out by the Opposition, will the Premier now apologise in this House for grossly misleading small regional businesses? (2) Was this hopelessly inaccurate information supplied by the Minister for Energy? (3) If yes to the above, does the Premier have any confidence in the bumbling Minister for Energy to handle even the most simple issue of energy industry structure and competition? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
(1) Given that around only 50 large energy consumers will benefit, as was pointed out by the Opposition, will the Premier now apologise in this House for grossly misleading small regional businesses? (2) Was this hopelessly inaccurate information supplied by the Minister for Energy? (3) If yes to the above, does the Premier have any confidence in the bumbling Minister for Energy to handle even the most simple issue of energy industry structure and competition? Dr GALLOP replied: There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
(2) Was this hopelessly inaccurate information supplied by the Minister for Energy? (3) If yes to the above, does the Premier have any confidence in the bumbling Minister for Energy to handle even the most simple issue of energy industry structure and competition? Dr GALLOP replied: There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
(3) If yes to the above, does the Premier have any confidence in the bumbling Minister for Energy to handle even the most simple issue of energy industry structure and competition? Dr GALLOP replied: There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
Dr GALLOP replied: There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
(1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
(1) Given that around only 50 large energy consumers will benefit, as was pointed out by the Opposition, will the Premier now apologise in this House for grossly misleading small regional businesses? (2) Was this hopelessly inaccurate information supplied by the Minister for Energy? (3) If yes to the above, does the Premier have any confidence in the bumbling Minister for Energy to handle even the most simple issue of energy industry structure and competition? Dr GALLOP replied: There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
(2) Was this hopelessly inaccurate information supplied by the Minister for Energy? (3) If yes to the above, does the Premier have any confidence in the bumbling Minister for Energy to handle even the most simple issue of energy industry structure and competition? Dr GALLOP replied: There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
(3) If yes to the above, does the Premier have any confidence in the bumbling Minister for Energy to handle even the most simple issue of energy industry structure and competition? Dr GALLOP replied: There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
Dr GALLOP replied: There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
There is no doubt about it, old grumpy chops is in good form today! (1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
(1)-(3) A press release was issued in Kalgoorlie that included incorrect information; however, it was corrected the next day. I wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statements he made in Parliament about what he said in Geraldton about its former member. I also wonder when the Leader of the Opposition will correct the statement he made in Parliament yesterday about where Mr Read was currently employed. The Kalgoorlie press release was wrong and has been corrected; but the policy was a darn good one! We are proud that when we were in Opposition, we canvassed that issue throughout regional Western Australia. We are proud that when we formed government, we sent a clear message to the energy authorities that they are there to work on behalf of all Western Australians. Under this Government, the notion that businesses of a certain size that work outside of Perth will be discriminated against - which makes it harder for them to create new wealth and job opportunities - will not happen. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party for the comments he made on this matter. It does not matter how many businesses are affected; it is a good policy, and we support it. I congratulate the Leader of the National Party. About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
About 50 businesses have been improved by that policy change. They are big employers that are capable of expanding. Approximately 40 employers are just under the threshold; however, as they expanded they would have paid that extra tariff under the previous Government’s policy. We have saved those 50 firms in regional Western Australia, and they can now invest in the future. The other 40 businesses that are under the threshold set by this Government can expand knowing that the discriminatory tariffs imposed by the former Minister for Energy - the current Leader of the Opposition - will no longer prevail in Western Australia.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.