❓ Ms. Brewer questions the Treasurer on whether government infrastructure spending is driving up house prices. The Treasurer denies this, highlighting Metronet's role in affordable housing and criticising the opposition's stance on hospital builds.
AnsweredQoN 188Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Housing—Affordability
188. Ms Sandra Brewer to the Treasurer:
I refer to media
reports of leading housing developers accusing the state government of
overspending in a heated market, driving up house prices. Does the Treasurer accept
that the government's infrastructure program has meant that it is using
taxpayers' money in a way that is increasing the price of houses for Western
Australians?
188. Ms Sandra Brewer to the Treasurer:
I refer to media
reports of leading housing developers accusing the state government of
overspending in a heated market, driving up house prices. Does the Treasurer accept
that the government's infrastructure program has meant that it is using
taxpayers' money in a way that is increasing the price of houses for Western
Australians?
AnswerView source ↗
No, I do not accept
that. Of course, the member for Cottesloe was the biggest supporter of
Metronet, remember? She loved Metronet and was the biggest supporter of
Metronet.
Ms Sandra Brewer: They respected my advice
then, but not now!
Ms Rita Saffioti: I think the member for Cottesloe
said, "You accepted my advice then, but not now." The member flip-flops
all the time; I do not know what she actually believes, because I do not think
she believes in anything; that is what I think.
Ms Sandra Brewer interjected.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Cottesloe, you have
asked the question. If you keep interjecting, you will not get a supplementary.
Just as an observation, have you noticed the more you interject, the longer it
takes to get through these questions? You may or may not get another one. Carry
on, minister.
Ms Rita Saffioti: I am not sure whether the member has
gone beyond a certain western suburbs border, but she should see what is
happening out there now with Metronet. There are new stations. There is
affordable housing and incredible affordable living as new homes are being
built close to incredible new public transport. It means affordable housing and
affordable living. When we go to the statistics in relation to government
investment versus private sector investment, we have had record private sector
investment. Actually, our private sector investment has basically outspent
government investment two to one. We have had enormous private sector
investment. That is a good thing. We are a growing economy. People want to
invest and spend in WA.
In relation to the
comments yesterday, that is in relation to our hospital builds. Are we not
going to build hospitals? What hospitals do we not build, members? What
hospital do we not build? What hospitals would the opposition want to cut? Is
it Bunbury Regional Hospital? Do we pull out of Geraldton, because we are out
there building it, and they ignored it for eight years?
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Minister, you are inviting
interjections.
Ms Rita Saffioti: Member for Cottesloe, what hospitals
do you not want us to build, because that is where the contention was in
relation to the hospital? She does not want us to build hospitals. Is that what
the opposition is saying—"Don't build hospitals"? I do not
know whether members have seen our government infrastructure program rollout in
the suburbs. It is creating affordable housing and affordable living. In
relation to the future, we will continue to support affordable housing
developments across the portfolios, in particular when it comes to our work
with the Albanese government in relation to the housing affordability fund,
where we are out there partnering with industry to deliver affordable housing.
that. Of course, the member for Cottesloe was the biggest supporter of
Metronet, remember? She loved Metronet and was the biggest supporter of
Metronet.
Ms Sandra Brewer: They respected my advice
then, but not now!
Ms Rita Saffioti: I think the member for Cottesloe
said, "You accepted my advice then, but not now." The member flip-flops
all the time; I do not know what she actually believes, because I do not think
she believes in anything; that is what I think.
Ms Sandra Brewer interjected.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Cottesloe, you have
asked the question. If you keep interjecting, you will not get a supplementary.
Just as an observation, have you noticed the more you interject, the longer it
takes to get through these questions? You may or may not get another one. Carry
on, minister.
Ms Rita Saffioti: I am not sure whether the member has
gone beyond a certain western suburbs border, but she should see what is
happening out there now with Metronet. There are new stations. There is
affordable housing and incredible affordable living as new homes are being
built close to incredible new public transport. It means affordable housing and
affordable living. When we go to the statistics in relation to government
investment versus private sector investment, we have had record private sector
investment. Actually, our private sector investment has basically outspent
government investment two to one. We have had enormous private sector
investment. That is a good thing. We are a growing economy. People want to
invest and spend in WA.
In relation to the
comments yesterday, that is in relation to our hospital builds. Are we not
going to build hospitals? What hospitals do we not build, members? What
hospital do we not build? What hospitals would the opposition want to cut? Is
it Bunbury Regional Hospital? Do we pull out of Geraldton, because we are out
there building it, and they ignored it for eight years?
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Minister, you are inviting
interjections.
Ms Rita Saffioti: Member for Cottesloe, what hospitals
do you not want us to build, because that is where the contention was in
relation to the hospital? She does not want us to build hospitals. Is that what
the opposition is saying—"Don't build hospitals"? I do not
know whether members have seen our government infrastructure program rollout in
the suburbs. It is creating affordable housing and affordable living. In
relation to the future, we will continue to support affordable housing
developments across the portfolios, in particular when it comes to our work
with the Albanese government in relation to the housing affordability fund,
where we are out there partnering with industry to deliver affordable housing.
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