❓ The Leader of the Opposition questions the Premier on why WA is the only state not to have submitted a list of priority infrastructure projects to Infrastructure Australia. The Premier defends the state's autonomy in infrastructure decisions and funding negotiations.
AnsweredQoN 864Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA — PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
864. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the evidence given by
Infrastructure Australia to a Senate committee yesterday that Western Australia
is the only state not to have submitted a list of priority infrastructure
projects. Why is this government the only government in Australia that has not
provided this important list to Infrastructure Australia?
864. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I refer to the evidence given by
Infrastructure Australia to a Senate committee yesterday that Western Australia
is the only state not to have submitted a list of priority infrastructure
projects. Why is this government the only government in Australia that has not
provided this important list to Infrastructure Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker —
Mr D.J. Kelly : Are
you too busy?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No, not at all.
Mr D.J. Kelly : Or
too lazy?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Competent.
I think people need to understand the role of Infrastructure
Australia. It advises the commonwealth government on the allocation of
commonwealth funds to infrastructure projects.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : It is pointless; it is just a hopeless opposition.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, Warnbro and Bassendean!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We will provide a list of priority projects to Infrastructure
Australia.
Mr
M. McGowan : You didn't meet the deadline.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The Leader of the Opposition just does not listen. Infrastructure Australia
cannot impose a deadline on the government of Western Australia—it
cannot. Understand what it is and what it is not. Infrastructure Australia is
an advisory group to the commonwealth government. The state of Western
Australia does not answer to Infrastructure Australia. We make our own
decisions about infrastructure, and we will negotiate; I will negotiate with
the Prime Minister and the Treasurer will negotiate with the federal Treasurer
about funding. That is what we will do, and that is what we have done
previously. Indeed, the funding for the infrastructure projects granted when this
government first came to power was negotiated directly by then Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd and me. That is how we operate as the state of Western Australia.
Mr D.J. Kelly : Are
you too busy?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No, not at all.
Mr D.J. Kelly : Or
too lazy?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Competent.
I think people need to understand the role of Infrastructure
Australia. It advises the commonwealth government on the allocation of
commonwealth funds to infrastructure projects.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : It is pointless; it is just a hopeless opposition.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana, Warnbro and Bassendean!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We will provide a list of priority projects to Infrastructure
Australia.
Mr
M. McGowan : You didn't meet the deadline.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The Leader of the Opposition just does not listen. Infrastructure Australia
cannot impose a deadline on the government of Western Australia—it
cannot. Understand what it is and what it is not. Infrastructure Australia is
an advisory group to the commonwealth government. The state of Western
Australia does not answer to Infrastructure Australia. We make our own
decisions about infrastructure, and we will negotiate; I will negotiate with
the Prime Minister and the Treasurer will negotiate with the federal Treasurer
about funding. That is what we will do, and that is what we have done
previously. Indeed, the funding for the infrastructure projects granted when this
government first came to power was negotiated directly by then Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd and me. That is how we operate as the state of Western Australia.
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