❓ Opposition Leader Ripper questions Premier Barnett about alleged instructions to journalists regarding a 'local content' economics lecture and the government's response to job losses and youth unemployment. Barnett responds by discussing local content levels in mining and LNG projects, criticising the federal government's lack of support, and clarifying his remarks to journalists.
AnsweredQoN 529Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RESOURCES SECTOR — LOCAL CONTENT — premier’s press conference, 30 August
Last Tuesday at a press conference I am told the Premier instructed journalists, “Turn off your cameras, I know more about this than anyone. I’m going to give you an economics lecture about local content.” (1) Does the Premier deny that this is what he said; and, if so, what did he actually say? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT
Last Tuesday at a press conference I am told the Premier instructed journalists, “Turn off your cameras, I know more about this than anyone. I’m going to give you an economics lecture about local content.” (1) Does the Premier deny that this is what he said; and, if so, what did he actually say? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
(1) Does the Premier deny that this is what he said; and, if so, what did he actually say? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
(2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
(3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
(1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
(1) Does the Premier deny that this is what he said; and, if so, what did he actually say? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : You should go and ask the journalists; ask them what happened. That is what they told us. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Are you finished? Do you care about local content? Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : I presume that some of you want to be able to answer questions today; it might be to your advantage if some of you want to answer questions today. I have given the call to the Leader of the Opposition and nobody else. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not mind, Mr Speaker; it is excellent training for government! Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several government members interjected. The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Just the question, Leader of the Opposition—just the question. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Mr Speaker, I think that is wise advice. (2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
(2) What lecture does the Premier have to give to those workers who have lost their jobs across Western Australia while workshops miss out on contracts for fabrication work? (3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
(3) What exactly is the Premier doing to address youth unemployment in Kwinana, which has risen another 2.8 per cent on the Premier’s watch to 20.6 per cent in July? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Before I comment on it, I welcome the students from John XXIII College in my electorate and other students who are walking in. (1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
(1)–(3) I remember at the end of a long press conference going into a little economic dissertation. I sometimes do that. It was primarily, I think, about when the mining industry was called the old economy and I was commenting on how now suddenly it is the mining industry that is apparently going to save Australia, so one moment it is out of favour and then it is in favour. I think that was the topic. Have you got your little spies running around my press conferences again? You did that in the election campaign; little people in overcoats and that sort of thing snuck up to press conferences. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : In the interests of open and accountable government, I extend an open invitation for someone from the Leader of the Opposition’s office to come to my doorstops as long as they wear something around their head identifying themselves as LOOP, so we know; so it is open and accountable. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The point of local content and — Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr P.C. Tinley : Answer the question! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am trying to. Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr P.C. Tinley : Did you tell them to turn off their cameras? The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : There is some advice I can give in this place about listening to the answers given. I believe that the Leader of the Opposition has asked some questions to which he is getting answers. I encourage the Premier to continue with his answers to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : A couple of months ago this government prepared and tabled a detailed report on local content, and we are prepared to do that on a fairly regular basis. The reality is that on mining projects, which are Western Australian–owned resources, levels of local content are 85 or 90 per cent. Indeed, Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto is in the business pages this morning saying that about 90 per cent local content was being achieved on Rio projects. On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
On offshore liquefied natural gas projects in commonwealth waters, local content had typically been 50 to 60 per cent; on some projects it slipped a little lower. It is interesting, though, that we have had very little support from the federal government of either political persuasion in achieving high levels of local content out of projects in commonwealth waters or, indeed, about gas reservation. The previous Premier, Alan Carpenter, did a good job in trying to take up that fight against the then Liberal government. That has been one thing where there has been some consistency in Western Australian politics. We do need to do that, but the Western Australian government has very limited leverage over offshore LNG projects. We do not own the natural resource and what little leverage we can get is trying to attach conditions to the use of onshore sites, whether they are on Barrow Island, the Burrup Peninsula and the like, but that is even weaker now that the industry is going down the path of floating LNG platforms. Although I support the Shell project on Prelude because it is a small resource gas field that would not otherwise be developed, if floating LNG platforms become the norm, there will be zero Australian or Western Australian content. I think members opposite should be talking to Martin Ferguson and their other friends in the federal Parliament and urging them to support both gas reservation and high levels of local content. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you tell them to turn off the cameras, by the way? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jokingly—I cannot even remember what the topic was—I think my words were to the effect, “If you’ll excuse me now, I’m going to indulge in a little economics lecture, so why don’t you turn off your cameras; don’t waste the film.” That was my comment. Big deal! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : And that is an issue! So that is the opposition’s top issue for the day; did the media leave their cameras on or off? Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is just unbelievably stupid of the opposition to think that is a significant issue! With due respect to my friends in the media, if they cannot get a joke, then lighten up, Manhattan! Get with the real world. In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
In a more serious response to this telling question that has been asked, last night I attended and spoke briefly at an event called Africa Down Under. About a dozen African mines’ ministers were there. It is a function that has been going on for about nine years, and it was the first time I had been to it. It was very interesting and about 250 people were there. The relevance in terms of local content is that while there is this sort of wave of protectionism going through Labor and through parts of the manufacturing industry, just imagine what would happen if the rest of the world, for example, Africa, was to do the same. Members might be interested to know — Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr M. McGowan : Transparency is protectionism. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Rockingham might be interested to know that there are — Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr M. McGowan : Give me a lecture. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, you need it! Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no interest in the issue from members opposite, but there are, for members’ information, 132 Western Australian mining companies involved in mineral exploration, mineral development and minerals mining services. They are involved today in 415 individual projects spread across 42 African nations, totalling literally hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions of dollars of work. One company, Ausdrill—a big, very successful Western Australian–based company—has 2 000 employees in Australia, the vast majority of whom are in Western Australia, and it has 2 400 employees in Africa. If we were to close the doors, we would cut off the opportunity for exploration mining and mineral services companies from this state to provide over 75 per cent of all of Australian mining investment activity in Africa. Part of the future of the Western Australian mining industry is in continuing its role as the dominant offshore player in the development of African natural resources. The Leader of the Opposition would close the door on that; that is his attitude. Too blinkered, too narrow.
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