❓ Question regarding fuel source for new gas turbines at Kemerton, given pipeline capacity constraints. The Minister's response is largely political, attacking the opposition, but confirms gas as primary fuel with liquid fuel backup due to past gas shortages.
AnsweredQoN 1260Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the minister’s recent approval for two new peak-load gas turbines to be constructed at Kemerton, which is part of the Gallop Labor Government’s plans to privatise electricity generation in Western Australia, and to his media statement of 3 October in which he stated - The Government electricity reform program is another element of the strategy to increase private investment in energy generation. (1) Given there is no spare capacity available on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline south of Kwinana, where will the 70 terajoules of gas a day for the new turbines come from? (2) Is it the case that this plant will most likely use imported distillate rather than clean natural gas? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) What a lightweight response from the shadow Minister for Energy. The Government has always said that one of the purposes of the electricity reform program is to promote private sector investment in generation. Private sector investment in generation will release public capital of up to $100 million a year that would otherwise be required for new public sector generation. That $100 million can be put into upgrading the electricity network which suffered under the Liberal and National Party Government because of the demands of generation for investment. We all know what privatisation means; it is what the Leader of the Opposition wants to do with the Collie power station. He wants to sell it. He also wants to sell the Muja power station. This Government is totally opposed to the selling off of Western Power or its assets and successor entities, but it supports competition with Western Power and it supports other companies being allowed into the market to compete if they can do a better job. The Leader of the Opposition has provided some strange responses today. Earlier in question time and in an undertone - it probably was not recorded by Hansard - he said that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. Is that the Leader of the Opposition’s official position? Is the Leader of the Opposition prepared to say on record what he said under the radar so that Hansard could not record it? Is he prepared to repeat his remark that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the CCI? The Leader of the Opposition has no courage. It is all apiece with his current behaviour. He says one thing to The West Australian and another thing to the Collie Mail . He says one thing in Perth and another thing to the people in the country. Point of Order Mr J.H.D. DAY: My point of order relates to the issue of relevance. The question was about the source and nature of fuel for turbines at Kemerton. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range has made a good point. However, his question had two parts and I think the Minister for Energy is answering the first part. I am sure he will get to the second part. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER: While I am on the first part, the Leader of the Opposition said one thing to The Geraldton Guardian about the future political career of the then member for Geraldton and then came into Parliament and said another thing. The problem with the Opposition is that it will say anything to anyone at any time to get a vote and the Leader of the Opposition is the worst offender. The member for Darling Range is more civilised than the Leader of the Opposition in his approach to politics and a more reasonable person. I will deal with the second part of his question. He asked how the peaking power station at Kemerton will be fuelled. It will be fuelled primarily by gas. However, in this State there have been, from time to time, gas shortages as a result of the policy decisions made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was in government. In order to prudently protect the people of Western Australia, there will be a capacity for that station to be fuelled with liquid fuel. That is only prudent. The station is not intended to run continuously; it is a peak power station that will provide power only at those times when the network is absolutely experiencing its full demand. I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
(2) Is it the case that this plant will most likely use imported distillate rather than clean natural gas? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) What a lightweight response from the shadow Minister for Energy. The Government has always said that one of the purposes of the electricity reform program is to promote private sector investment in generation. Private sector investment in generation will release public capital of up to $100 million a year that would otherwise be required for new public sector generation. That $100 million can be put into upgrading the electricity network which suffered under the Liberal and National Party Government because of the demands of generation for investment. We all know what privatisation means; it is what the Leader of the Opposition wants to do with the Collie power station. He wants to sell it. He also wants to sell the Muja power station. This Government is totally opposed to the selling off of Western Power or its assets and successor entities, but it supports competition with Western Power and it supports other companies being allowed into the market to compete if they can do a better job. The Leader of the Opposition has provided some strange responses today. Earlier in question time and in an undertone - it probably was not recorded by Hansard - he said that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. Is that the Leader of the Opposition’s official position? Is the Leader of the Opposition prepared to say on record what he said under the radar so that Hansard could not record it? Is he prepared to repeat his remark that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the CCI? The Leader of the Opposition has no courage. It is all apiece with his current behaviour. He says one thing to The West Australian and another thing to the Collie Mail . He says one thing in Perth and another thing to the people in the country. Point of Order Mr J.H.D. DAY: My point of order relates to the issue of relevance. The question was about the source and nature of fuel for turbines at Kemerton. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range has made a good point. However, his question had two parts and I think the Minister for Energy is answering the first part. I am sure he will get to the second part. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER: While I am on the first part, the Leader of the Opposition said one thing to The Geraldton Guardian about the future political career of the then member for Geraldton and then came into Parliament and said another thing. The problem with the Opposition is that it will say anything to anyone at any time to get a vote and the Leader of the Opposition is the worst offender. The member for Darling Range is more civilised than the Leader of the Opposition in his approach to politics and a more reasonable person. I will deal with the second part of his question. He asked how the peaking power station at Kemerton will be fuelled. It will be fuelled primarily by gas. However, in this State there have been, from time to time, gas shortages as a result of the policy decisions made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was in government. In order to prudently protect the people of Western Australia, there will be a capacity for that station to be fuelled with liquid fuel. That is only prudent. The station is not intended to run continuously; it is a peak power station that will provide power only at those times when the network is absolutely experiencing its full demand. I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) What a lightweight response from the shadow Minister for Energy. The Government has always said that one of the purposes of the electricity reform program is to promote private sector investment in generation. Private sector investment in generation will release public capital of up to $100 million a year that would otherwise be required for new public sector generation. That $100 million can be put into upgrading the electricity network which suffered under the Liberal and National Party Government because of the demands of generation for investment. We all know what privatisation means; it is what the Leader of the Opposition wants to do with the Collie power station. He wants to sell it. He also wants to sell the Muja power station. This Government is totally opposed to the selling off of Western Power or its assets and successor entities, but it supports competition with Western Power and it supports other companies being allowed into the market to compete if they can do a better job. The Leader of the Opposition has provided some strange responses today. Earlier in question time and in an undertone - it probably was not recorded by Hansard - he said that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. Is that the Leader of the Opposition’s official position? Is the Leader of the Opposition prepared to say on record what he said under the radar so that Hansard could not record it? Is he prepared to repeat his remark that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the CCI? The Leader of the Opposition has no courage. It is all apiece with his current behaviour. He says one thing to The West Australian and another thing to the Collie Mail . He says one thing in Perth and another thing to the people in the country. Point of Order Mr J.H.D. DAY: My point of order relates to the issue of relevance. The question was about the source and nature of fuel for turbines at Kemerton. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range has made a good point. However, his question had two parts and I think the Minister for Energy is answering the first part. I am sure he will get to the second part. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER: While I am on the first part, the Leader of the Opposition said one thing to The Geraldton Guardian about the future political career of the then member for Geraldton and then came into Parliament and said another thing. The problem with the Opposition is that it will say anything to anyone at any time to get a vote and the Leader of the Opposition is the worst offender. The member for Darling Range is more civilised than the Leader of the Opposition in his approach to politics and a more reasonable person. I will deal with the second part of his question. He asked how the peaking power station at Kemerton will be fuelled. It will be fuelled primarily by gas. However, in this State there have been, from time to time, gas shortages as a result of the policy decisions made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was in government. In order to prudently protect the people of Western Australia, there will be a capacity for that station to be fuelled with liquid fuel. That is only prudent. The station is not intended to run continuously; it is a peak power station that will provide power only at those times when the network is absolutely experiencing its full demand. I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
(1)-(2) What a lightweight response from the shadow Minister for Energy. The Government has always said that one of the purposes of the electricity reform program is to promote private sector investment in generation. Private sector investment in generation will release public capital of up to $100 million a year that would otherwise be required for new public sector generation. That $100 million can be put into upgrading the electricity network which suffered under the Liberal and National Party Government because of the demands of generation for investment. We all know what privatisation means; it is what the Leader of the Opposition wants to do with the Collie power station. He wants to sell it. He also wants to sell the Muja power station. This Government is totally opposed to the selling off of Western Power or its assets and successor entities, but it supports competition with Western Power and it supports other companies being allowed into the market to compete if they can do a better job. The Leader of the Opposition has provided some strange responses today. Earlier in question time and in an undertone - it probably was not recorded by Hansard - he said that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. Is that the Leader of the Opposition’s official position? Is the Leader of the Opposition prepared to say on record what he said under the radar so that Hansard could not record it? Is he prepared to repeat his remark that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the CCI? The Leader of the Opposition has no courage. It is all apiece with his current behaviour. He says one thing to The West Australian and another thing to the Collie Mail . He says one thing in Perth and another thing to the people in the country. Point of Order Mr J.H.D. DAY: My point of order relates to the issue of relevance. The question was about the source and nature of fuel for turbines at Kemerton. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range has made a good point. However, his question had two parts and I think the Minister for Energy is answering the first part. I am sure he will get to the second part. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER: While I am on the first part, the Leader of the Opposition said one thing to The Geraldton Guardian about the future political career of the then member for Geraldton and then came into Parliament and said another thing. The problem with the Opposition is that it will say anything to anyone at any time to get a vote and the Leader of the Opposition is the worst offender. The member for Darling Range is more civilised than the Leader of the Opposition in his approach to politics and a more reasonable person. I will deal with the second part of his question. He asked how the peaking power station at Kemerton will be fuelled. It will be fuelled primarily by gas. However, in this State there have been, from time to time, gas shortages as a result of the policy decisions made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was in government. In order to prudently protect the people of Western Australia, there will be a capacity for that station to be fuelled with liquid fuel. That is only prudent. The station is not intended to run continuously; it is a peak power station that will provide power only at those times when the network is absolutely experiencing its full demand. I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range has made a good point. However, his question had two parts and I think the Minister for Energy is answering the first part. I am sure he will get to the second part. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER: While I am on the first part, the Leader of the Opposition said one thing to The Geraldton Guardian about the future political career of the then member for Geraldton and then came into Parliament and said another thing. The problem with the Opposition is that it will say anything to anyone at any time to get a vote and the Leader of the Opposition is the worst offender. The member for Darling Range is more civilised than the Leader of the Opposition in his approach to politics and a more reasonable person. I will deal with the second part of his question. He asked how the peaking power station at Kemerton will be fuelled. It will be fuelled primarily by gas. However, in this State there have been, from time to time, gas shortages as a result of the policy decisions made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was in government. In order to prudently protect the people of Western Australia, there will be a capacity for that station to be fuelled with liquid fuel. That is only prudent. The station is not intended to run continuously; it is a peak power station that will provide power only at those times when the network is absolutely experiencing its full demand. I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
(2) Is it the case that this plant will most likely use imported distillate rather than clean natural gas? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) What a lightweight response from the shadow Minister for Energy. The Government has always said that one of the purposes of the electricity reform program is to promote private sector investment in generation. Private sector investment in generation will release public capital of up to $100 million a year that would otherwise be required for new public sector generation. That $100 million can be put into upgrading the electricity network which suffered under the Liberal and National Party Government because of the demands of generation for investment. We all know what privatisation means; it is what the Leader of the Opposition wants to do with the Collie power station. He wants to sell it. He also wants to sell the Muja power station. This Government is totally opposed to the selling off of Western Power or its assets and successor entities, but it supports competition with Western Power and it supports other companies being allowed into the market to compete if they can do a better job. The Leader of the Opposition has provided some strange responses today. Earlier in question time and in an undertone - it probably was not recorded by Hansard - he said that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. Is that the Leader of the Opposition’s official position? Is the Leader of the Opposition prepared to say on record what he said under the radar so that Hansard could not record it? Is he prepared to repeat his remark that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the CCI? The Leader of the Opposition has no courage. It is all apiece with his current behaviour. He says one thing to The West Australian and another thing to the Collie Mail . He says one thing in Perth and another thing to the people in the country. Point of Order Mr J.H.D. DAY: My point of order relates to the issue of relevance. The question was about the source and nature of fuel for turbines at Kemerton. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range has made a good point. However, his question had two parts and I think the Minister for Energy is answering the first part. I am sure he will get to the second part. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER: While I am on the first part, the Leader of the Opposition said one thing to The Geraldton Guardian about the future political career of the then member for Geraldton and then came into Parliament and said another thing. The problem with the Opposition is that it will say anything to anyone at any time to get a vote and the Leader of the Opposition is the worst offender. The member for Darling Range is more civilised than the Leader of the Opposition in his approach to politics and a more reasonable person. I will deal with the second part of his question. He asked how the peaking power station at Kemerton will be fuelled. It will be fuelled primarily by gas. However, in this State there have been, from time to time, gas shortages as a result of the policy decisions made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was in government. In order to prudently protect the people of Western Australia, there will be a capacity for that station to be fuelled with liquid fuel. That is only prudent. The station is not intended to run continuously; it is a peak power station that will provide power only at those times when the network is absolutely experiencing its full demand. I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) What a lightweight response from the shadow Minister for Energy. The Government has always said that one of the purposes of the electricity reform program is to promote private sector investment in generation. Private sector investment in generation will release public capital of up to $100 million a year that would otherwise be required for new public sector generation. That $100 million can be put into upgrading the electricity network which suffered under the Liberal and National Party Government because of the demands of generation for investment. We all know what privatisation means; it is what the Leader of the Opposition wants to do with the Collie power station. He wants to sell it. He also wants to sell the Muja power station. This Government is totally opposed to the selling off of Western Power or its assets and successor entities, but it supports competition with Western Power and it supports other companies being allowed into the market to compete if they can do a better job. The Leader of the Opposition has provided some strange responses today. Earlier in question time and in an undertone - it probably was not recorded by Hansard - he said that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. Is that the Leader of the Opposition’s official position? Is the Leader of the Opposition prepared to say on record what he said under the radar so that Hansard could not record it? Is he prepared to repeat his remark that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the CCI? The Leader of the Opposition has no courage. It is all apiece with his current behaviour. He says one thing to The West Australian and another thing to the Collie Mail . He says one thing in Perth and another thing to the people in the country. Point of Order Mr J.H.D. DAY: My point of order relates to the issue of relevance. The question was about the source and nature of fuel for turbines at Kemerton. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range has made a good point. However, his question had two parts and I think the Minister for Energy is answering the first part. I am sure he will get to the second part. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER: While I am on the first part, the Leader of the Opposition said one thing to The Geraldton Guardian about the future political career of the then member for Geraldton and then came into Parliament and said another thing. The problem with the Opposition is that it will say anything to anyone at any time to get a vote and the Leader of the Opposition is the worst offender. The member for Darling Range is more civilised than the Leader of the Opposition in his approach to politics and a more reasonable person. I will deal with the second part of his question. He asked how the peaking power station at Kemerton will be fuelled. It will be fuelled primarily by gas. However, in this State there have been, from time to time, gas shortages as a result of the policy decisions made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was in government. In order to prudently protect the people of Western Australia, there will be a capacity for that station to be fuelled with liquid fuel. That is only prudent. The station is not intended to run continuously; it is a peak power station that will provide power only at those times when the network is absolutely experiencing its full demand. I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
(1)-(2) What a lightweight response from the shadow Minister for Energy. The Government has always said that one of the purposes of the electricity reform program is to promote private sector investment in generation. Private sector investment in generation will release public capital of up to $100 million a year that would otherwise be required for new public sector generation. That $100 million can be put into upgrading the electricity network which suffered under the Liberal and National Party Government because of the demands of generation for investment. We all know what privatisation means; it is what the Leader of the Opposition wants to do with the Collie power station. He wants to sell it. He also wants to sell the Muja power station. This Government is totally opposed to the selling off of Western Power or its assets and successor entities, but it supports competition with Western Power and it supports other companies being allowed into the market to compete if they can do a better job. The Leader of the Opposition has provided some strange responses today. Earlier in question time and in an undertone - it probably was not recorded by Hansard - he said that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. Is that the Leader of the Opposition’s official position? Is the Leader of the Opposition prepared to say on record what he said under the radar so that Hansard could not record it? Is he prepared to repeat his remark that I supported electricity reform because I was in the pockets of the CCI? The Leader of the Opposition has no courage. It is all apiece with his current behaviour. He says one thing to The West Australian and another thing to the Collie Mail . He says one thing in Perth and another thing to the people in the country. Point of Order Mr J.H.D. DAY: My point of order relates to the issue of relevance. The question was about the source and nature of fuel for turbines at Kemerton. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range has made a good point. However, his question had two parts and I think the Minister for Energy is answering the first part. I am sure he will get to the second part. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER: While I am on the first part, the Leader of the Opposition said one thing to The Geraldton Guardian about the future political career of the then member for Geraldton and then came into Parliament and said another thing. The problem with the Opposition is that it will say anything to anyone at any time to get a vote and the Leader of the Opposition is the worst offender. The member for Darling Range is more civilised than the Leader of the Opposition in his approach to politics and a more reasonable person. I will deal with the second part of his question. He asked how the peaking power station at Kemerton will be fuelled. It will be fuelled primarily by gas. However, in this State there have been, from time to time, gas shortages as a result of the policy decisions made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was in government. In order to prudently protect the people of Western Australia, there will be a capacity for that station to be fuelled with liquid fuel. That is only prudent. The station is not intended to run continuously; it is a peak power station that will provide power only at those times when the network is absolutely experiencing its full demand. I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range has made a good point. However, his question had two parts and I think the Minister for Energy is answering the first part. I am sure he will get to the second part. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER: While I am on the first part, the Leader of the Opposition said one thing to The Geraldton Guardian about the future political career of the then member for Geraldton and then came into Parliament and said another thing. The problem with the Opposition is that it will say anything to anyone at any time to get a vote and the Leader of the Opposition is the worst offender. The member for Darling Range is more civilised than the Leader of the Opposition in his approach to politics and a more reasonable person. I will deal with the second part of his question. He asked how the peaking power station at Kemerton will be fuelled. It will be fuelled primarily by gas. However, in this State there have been, from time to time, gas shortages as a result of the policy decisions made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was in government. In order to prudently protect the people of Western Australia, there will be a capacity for that station to be fuelled with liquid fuel. That is only prudent. The station is not intended to run continuously; it is a peak power station that will provide power only at those times when the network is absolutely experiencing its full demand. I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
I am just amazed at the harassment about and the negative, opportunistic approach that the Opposition has taken to electricity reform. If it is such a bad thing, why does every energy businessperson in this town support the program? Why is it supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association if it is such a bad thing from the Opposition’s point of view? This is about jobs, growth, $300 million a year more in the State’s economy, 2 900 more jobs in the State’s economy by 2010, cheaper electricity and a new start for the renewable energy industry. It will be a kick-start for that industry, which I hope will make this State the leader in renewable energy in this country. It is a great program, which has been cautiously and prudently designed. However, the approach of the Opposition, which clearly does not care about the future of the economy of this State, has been one of harassment in a most opportunistic and unprincipled fashion.
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