❓ Mr Logan questions Dr Jacobs about altering documents to reflect climate change scepticism. Dr Jacobs defends his right to control the content of letters he signs, citing the inclusion of 'climate change' in released water plans and criticises Mr Logan's understanding of water issues.
AnsweredQoN 293Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MINISTER FOR WATER — REFERENCES TO “CLIMATE CHANGE”
I draw the minister’s attention to his admission made in budget estimates committee A on Wednesday, 2 June that he had asked to have documents, texts and letters changed to reflect his scepticism about climate change. Will the minister tell the house exactly which documents, texts and letters have been changed, and why? Dr G.G. JACOBS
I draw the minister’s attention to his admission made in budget estimates committee A on Wednesday, 2 June that he had asked to have documents, texts and letters changed to reflect his scepticism about climate change. Will the minister tell the house exactly which documents, texts and letters have been changed, and why? Dr G.G. JACOBS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question and, indeed, a follow-up in the budget estimates process. We have many important issues in the water space. But the member for Cockburn has decided that I have directed people in my agencies—the Department of Water in particular—to in fact change documents. What I did say to the member, however, is that when it comes to letters that I put my name to — Mr F.M. Logan : Documents, texts and letters. Go back to Hansard and check. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Just listen. I maintain, and will continue to maintain, that if I have to sign a letter, I have the prerogative to actually have that letter say what I want it to say. Whether it be climate change, or a drying climate, or any other terminology the member might like to use, it is my letter. On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for his question and, indeed, a follow-up in the budget estimates process. We have many important issues in the water space. But the member for Cockburn has decided that I have directed people in my agencies—the Department of Water in particular—to in fact change documents. What I did say to the member, however, is that when it comes to letters that I put my name to — Mr F.M. Logan : Documents, texts and letters. Go back to Hansard and check. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Just listen. I maintain, and will continue to maintain, that if I have to sign a letter, I have the prerogative to actually have that letter say what I want it to say. Whether it be climate change, or a drying climate, or any other terminology the member might like to use, it is my letter. On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
I thank the member for his question and, indeed, a follow-up in the budget estimates process. We have many important issues in the water space. But the member for Cockburn has decided that I have directed people in my agencies—the Department of Water in particular—to in fact change documents. What I did say to the member, however, is that when it comes to letters that I put my name to — Mr F.M. Logan : Documents, texts and letters. Go back to Hansard and check. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Just listen. I maintain, and will continue to maintain, that if I have to sign a letter, I have the prerogative to actually have that letter say what I want it to say. Whether it be climate change, or a drying climate, or any other terminology the member might like to use, it is my letter. On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Mr F.M. Logan : Documents, texts and letters. Go back to Hansard and check. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Just listen. I maintain, and will continue to maintain, that if I have to sign a letter, I have the prerogative to actually have that letter say what I want it to say. Whether it be climate change, or a drying climate, or any other terminology the member might like to use, it is my letter. On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : Just listen. I maintain, and will continue to maintain, that if I have to sign a letter, I have the prerogative to actually have that letter say what I want it to say. Whether it be climate change, or a drying climate, or any other terminology the member might like to use, it is my letter. On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the member for his question and, indeed, a follow-up in the budget estimates process. We have many important issues in the water space. But the member for Cockburn has decided that I have directed people in my agencies—the Department of Water in particular—to in fact change documents. What I did say to the member, however, is that when it comes to letters that I put my name to — Mr F.M. Logan : Documents, texts and letters. Go back to Hansard and check. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Just listen. I maintain, and will continue to maintain, that if I have to sign a letter, I have the prerogative to actually have that letter say what I want it to say. Whether it be climate change, or a drying climate, or any other terminology the member might like to use, it is my letter. On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
I thank the member for his question and, indeed, a follow-up in the budget estimates process. We have many important issues in the water space. But the member for Cockburn has decided that I have directed people in my agencies—the Department of Water in particular—to in fact change documents. What I did say to the member, however, is that when it comes to letters that I put my name to — Mr F.M. Logan : Documents, texts and letters. Go back to Hansard and check. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Just listen. I maintain, and will continue to maintain, that if I have to sign a letter, I have the prerogative to actually have that letter say what I want it to say. Whether it be climate change, or a drying climate, or any other terminology the member might like to use, it is my letter. On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Mr F.M. Logan : Documents, texts and letters. Go back to Hansard and check. Dr G.G. JACOBS : Just listen. I maintain, and will continue to maintain, that if I have to sign a letter, I have the prerogative to actually have that letter say what I want it to say. Whether it be climate change, or a drying climate, or any other terminology the member might like to use, it is my letter. On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : Just listen. I maintain, and will continue to maintain, that if I have to sign a letter, I have the prerogative to actually have that letter say what I want it to say. Whether it be climate change, or a drying climate, or any other terminology the member might like to use, it is my letter. On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
On the aspect of documents, it was just, I think, 10 days ago that I was in the Pilbara to release the “Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010–2030”. The conclusion of that document states — The challenges we face in the Pilbara as a result of human actions, including climate change, are many. A clear, dynamic vision and careful planning can help the community to adapt to these challenges. I rest my case. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : There is also a document titled “South West regional water plan”, which I released about a month or six weeks ago. That document mentions the words “climate change” on 12 occasions. There are many challenges that we have in water. I remind the member for Cockburn that I was in fact with Penny Wong when she released a study that had been done under the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s “The South-West Western Australia Sustainable Yields Project”. That study predicted a reduction in surface water in the south west of 25 per cent by 2013. It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
It was really interesting to read some of the transcript of the Howard Sattler radio program when the member for Cockburn talked about, importantly, the total winter sprinkler ban. Howard Sattler and the member for Cockburn had a discussion about two-day schedules. To that man over there, who is supposed to be right across this water issue, all I say is: bring on the member for Balcatta who knows something about water! The member for Cockburn talked for some minutes about why the Water Corporation did not make the two-day schedules run all the way through the year. It was adopted in Western Australia some years ago. We already have two-day schedules in winter and summer. When it came to the member’s vegie patch and the terrible impact sprinkler bans would have on his vegie patch—the vegie patch is in Claremont and he in fact represents Cockburn!—the member for Cockburn did not realise his vegie patch could be hand watered to his heart’s content. He needs to get across this portfolio instead of making spin and issues about irrelevancies. It does not reduce my responsibility as Minister for Water in a drying climate in Western Australia.
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