❓ Opposition questions Premier about projected electricity price increases and their impact on households. Premier deflects, blaming previous Labor reforms and highlighting the unreliability of forward estimates.
AnsweredQoN 294Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET 2011–12 — ELECTRICITY CHARGES
The Premier’s forward estimates, as stated in last week’s state budget, show that electricity is set to rise five per cent, five per cent, 12 per cent and 12 per cent across the next four years according to the Premier’s financial plan. (1) Can the Premier confirm to Western Australians that these four future increases total more than $550 for the representative household on top of the already crippling increases from the Premier’s first two budgets? (2) Given that the Premier is projecting a compounded increase of 107 per cent in electricity bills between 2009–10 and 2014–15, is it safe to say there is no light yet at the end of the tunnel for struggling Western Australian families? (3) From today, what further increases are required to meet the Premier’s definition of cost reflectivity for customers in the Perth metropolitan area? Mr C.J. BARNETT
The Premier’s forward estimates, as stated in last week’s state budget, show that electricity is set to rise five per cent, five per cent, 12 per cent and 12 per cent across the next four years according to the Premier’s financial plan. (1) Can the Premier confirm to Western Australians that these four future increases total more than $550 for the representative household on top of the already crippling increases from the Premier’s first two budgets? (2) Given that the Premier is projecting a compounded increase of 107 per cent in electricity bills between 2009–10 and 2014–15, is it safe to say there is no light yet at the end of the tunnel for struggling Western Australian families? (3) From today, what further increases are required to meet the Premier’s definition of cost reflectivity for customers in the Perth metropolitan area? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
(1) Can the Premier confirm to Western Australians that these four future increases total more than $550 for the representative household on top of the already crippling increases from the Premier’s first two budgets? (2) Given that the Premier is projecting a compounded increase of 107 per cent in electricity bills between 2009–10 and 2014–15, is it safe to say there is no light yet at the end of the tunnel for struggling Western Australian families? (3) From today, what further increases are required to meet the Premier’s definition of cost reflectivity for customers in the Perth metropolitan area? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
(2) Given that the Premier is projecting a compounded increase of 107 per cent in electricity bills between 2009–10 and 2014–15, is it safe to say there is no light yet at the end of the tunnel for struggling Western Australian families? (3) From today, what further increases are required to meet the Premier’s definition of cost reflectivity for customers in the Perth metropolitan area? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
(3) From today, what further increases are required to meet the Premier’s definition of cost reflectivity for customers in the Perth metropolitan area? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
(1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
(1) Can the Premier confirm to Western Australians that these four future increases total more than $550 for the representative household on top of the already crippling increases from the Premier’s first two budgets? (2) Given that the Premier is projecting a compounded increase of 107 per cent in electricity bills between 2009–10 and 2014–15, is it safe to say there is no light yet at the end of the tunnel for struggling Western Australian families? (3) From today, what further increases are required to meet the Premier’s definition of cost reflectivity for customers in the Perth metropolitan area? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
(2) Given that the Premier is projecting a compounded increase of 107 per cent in electricity bills between 2009–10 and 2014–15, is it safe to say there is no light yet at the end of the tunnel for struggling Western Australian families? (3) From today, what further increases are required to meet the Premier’s definition of cost reflectivity for customers in the Perth metropolitan area? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
(3) From today, what further increases are required to meet the Premier’s definition of cost reflectivity for customers in the Perth metropolitan area? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
(1)–(3) I, and this government, fully understand that the very large rises in electricity prices have put a lot of pressure on family budgets. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Electricity price rises are not the sole reason. There are a host of factors, including petrol prices and the high cost of rent for those in rental accommodation. The price of food has risen as well, but electricity price rises has been one such factor. Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : And water, and the emergency services levy, and the waste levy. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The idea is that the Leader of the Opposition asks the question and that I try to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : The trouble is, the Premier does not adhere to that idea. The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
The SPEAKER : Order! Thank you, members! Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : For the last 12 months, the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite have said the government’s forward estimates show that electricity prices will, next year—that is, now—increase by 22.5 per cent. What happened? They went up by five per cent. I think members opposite know—they may not agree—that I have a view about forward estimates; namely that forward estimates are educated guesses about the future. All those — Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : With the emphasis on guesses for this set. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They are forecasts; they are nothing more, nothing less. I again remind the house that the budget is for only one year. This Parliament appropriates money for the coming year. It does not appropriate money in the forward estimates. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : Yes, it does. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not. Understand the financial act. Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr M. McGowan interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not answering a question from the member. Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Are you disowning your own financial plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am saying that the forward estimates are what they are; namely, estimates and not allocations of taxpayer funds. The allocation of taxpayer funds is for the coming year. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : For 12 months, members opposite went on and on about electricity prices going up by 22.5 per cent. When the Treasurer announced the budget last week, he announced a five per cent increase. That is the increase. Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr A.P. O’Gorman interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : And we are prepared to commit to a five per cent increase next year, but I will not go any further than that. Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Reforms are required in the energy sector and, yes, there are some forces in terms of higher gas prices and coal contracts. There is a whole host of factors. However, we are placing pressure on the utilities to improve their performances, and the five per cent efficiency dividend that the Treasurer announced is designed to make those utilities more efficient. Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Whereas we used to have one electricity utility in this state, we now have four—a situation created by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Supported by your party! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I tell the Leader of the Opposition that almost week in, week out — Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Change it, if it is so bad! Reverse it. Bring in the bill! You have the numbers; bring in the bill and change it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We have four chief executive officers, we have four boards, we have four public relation departments, and on and on it goes. The Leader of the Opposition turned one into four, saying it would increase competition and force down prices. Well, the people of Western Australia are asking, “Mr Ripper, where are the lower prices that you promised?” Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They have not been delivered and Labor’s so-called energy reform has been a catastrophic failure to the expense of Western Australian household budgets. That has been the truth of the matter. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Labor failed to enter into contracts when gas could be bought at a low price. Labor failed to increase pipeline capacity. Labor repeatedly failed; and it kept telling people that electricity prices would go down. The member for Belmont failed dismally as energy minister. He was a dismal failure. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Tell me: why did electricity prices not go down when he split up the utilities? The whole purpose was to introduce competition to force prices down. The one thing the now Leader of the Opposition did not understand—there were lots of things that he did not understand—is that in economics, competition is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Leader of the Opposition went for the means and because he did not understand the industry he did not get to the ends. As a result of his policy, prices went up. Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Which energy experts support you? You know better than the whole of the energy sector! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Indeed; it is not well known, but the Leader of the Opposition commissioned a very expensive report that showed that if Western Power were to be split the way he proposed, more than half a billion dollars in state assets would be lost. The Leader of the Opposition is right: the advice was right and his decision ignored that advice. Their advice was right and the value of the assets dropped by half a billion dollars. The state was left, on those forward estimates—the Leader of the Opposition loves forward estimates—with a debt of nearly a billion dollars. That was Labor’s legacy. How dare the Leader of the Opposition come in here and say that this government does not care about households? No-one in this state has put a greater burden on Perth households than the Leader of the Opposition when he was energy minister.
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