Question on Notice regarding the impact of Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) on WA's economy and jobs, particularly in the resources sector, and the Premier's stance on federal Labor's AWA policy. The Premier's answer deflects and attacks the opposition.

AnsweredQoN 76Legislative Assembly
Asked
21 March 2007
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

AUSTRALIAN WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS - LABOR PARTY POLICY
I refer to a report released today by the Australian Mines and Metals Association into Australian workplace agreements in the resources sector, which found that AWAs have provided a safer, more productive, better-paid, dispute-free workplace. According to the association’s general manager, Mr Christopher Platt, the Australian Labor Party’s policy of scrapping AWAs is economic vandalism and puts at risk Australia’s reputation as a stable economy in which to do business, with the potential for $6 billion worth of export losses. In light of this frightening report, I ask: will the Premier take the fight up to federal Labor and argue for it to scrap its unjustifiable anti-AWA policy to protect Western Australian jobs and our economy, or is the Premier intimidated by the likes of Mr Kevin Rudd and Ms Julia Gillard? Mr A.J. CARPENTER

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question. I do not have the advantage that the member has had of reading that report, I am afraid. No doubt I will have the opportunity at some stage later. It sounds like a very important piece of work. I think the general thrust of this is that what we are seeing in Western Australia at the moment, of course, are very buoyant economic times, thanks in large part to the current government, and bearing in mind, of course - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The Premier is about to thank me for the economic boom in the Pilbara. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - that we have one of the most outstanding parliamentary representatives anywhere in Australia representing the key electorate, and the lowest unemployment that we have had. I think there have been two monthly figures of three per cent, which are the lowest unemployment figures we have had since records have been kept in the nature in which they are kept now for something like 30 years. Of course, there is competition for labour in Western Australia. We see the ramifications of it in the public sector, where we are finding it difficult to get enough staff for our schools and to meet our desired targets in the police area, and so on. There is competition for labour in Western Australia, unlike the circumstances that were afoot when we came into government, when the Western Australian economy, which was then about a $73 billion economy, was in decline. We had massive - Mr J.H.D. Day : Before the Chinese boom occurred, you mean. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. We had massive youth unemployment and no training programs. The education system was 40 years out of date. Mr C.J. Barnett : You have run education well! What a stunning success! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. I do not have the advantage that the member has had of reading that report, I am afraid. No doubt I will have the opportunity at some stage later. It sounds like a very important piece of work. I think the general thrust of this is that what we are seeing in Western Australia at the moment, of course, are very buoyant economic times, thanks in large part to the current government, and bearing in mind, of course - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The Premier is about to thank me for the economic boom in the Pilbara. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - that we have one of the most outstanding parliamentary representatives anywhere in Australia representing the key electorate, and the lowest unemployment that we have had. I think there have been two monthly figures of three per cent, which are the lowest unemployment figures we have had since records have been kept in the nature in which they are kept now for something like 30 years. Of course, there is competition for labour in Western Australia. We see the ramifications of it in the public sector, where we are finding it difficult to get enough staff for our schools and to meet our desired targets in the police area, and so on. There is competition for labour in Western Australia, unlike the circumstances that were afoot when we came into government, when the Western Australian economy, which was then about a $73 billion economy, was in decline. We had massive - Mr J.H.D. Day : Before the Chinese boom occurred, you mean. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. We had massive youth unemployment and no training programs. The education system was 40 years out of date. Mr C.J. Barnett : You have run education well! What a stunning success! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
I thank the member for the question. I do not have the advantage that the member has had of reading that report, I am afraid. No doubt I will have the opportunity at some stage later. It sounds like a very important piece of work. I think the general thrust of this is that what we are seeing in Western Australia at the moment, of course, are very buoyant economic times, thanks in large part to the current government, and bearing in mind, of course - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The Premier is about to thank me for the economic boom in the Pilbara. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - that we have one of the most outstanding parliamentary representatives anywhere in Australia representing the key electorate, and the lowest unemployment that we have had. I think there have been two monthly figures of three per cent, which are the lowest unemployment figures we have had since records have been kept in the nature in which they are kept now for something like 30 years. Of course, there is competition for labour in Western Australia. We see the ramifications of it in the public sector, where we are finding it difficult to get enough staff for our schools and to meet our desired targets in the police area, and so on. There is competition for labour in Western Australia, unlike the circumstances that were afoot when we came into government, when the Western Australian economy, which was then about a $73 billion economy, was in decline. We had massive - Mr J.H.D. Day : Before the Chinese boom occurred, you mean. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. We had massive youth unemployment and no training programs. The education system was 40 years out of date. Mr C.J. Barnett : You have run education well! What a stunning success! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! The Premier is about to thank me for the economic boom in the Pilbara. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - that we have one of the most outstanding parliamentary representatives anywhere in Australia representing the key electorate, and the lowest unemployment that we have had. I think there have been two monthly figures of three per cent, which are the lowest unemployment figures we have had since records have been kept in the nature in which they are kept now for something like 30 years. Of course, there is competition for labour in Western Australia. We see the ramifications of it in the public sector, where we are finding it difficult to get enough staff for our schools and to meet our desired targets in the police area, and so on. There is competition for labour in Western Australia, unlike the circumstances that were afoot when we came into government, when the Western Australian economy, which was then about a $73 billion economy, was in decline. We had massive - Mr J.H.D. Day : Before the Chinese boom occurred, you mean. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. We had massive youth unemployment and no training programs. The education system was 40 years out of date. Mr C.J. Barnett : You have run education well! What a stunning success! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! The Premier is about to thank me for the economic boom in the Pilbara. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - that we have one of the most outstanding parliamentary representatives anywhere in Australia representing the key electorate, and the lowest unemployment that we have had. I think there have been two monthly figures of three per cent, which are the lowest unemployment figures we have had since records have been kept in the nature in which they are kept now for something like 30 years. Of course, there is competition for labour in Western Australia. We see the ramifications of it in the public sector, where we are finding it difficult to get enough staff for our schools and to meet our desired targets in the police area, and so on. There is competition for labour in Western Australia, unlike the circumstances that were afoot when we came into government, when the Western Australian economy, which was then about a $73 billion economy, was in decline. We had massive - Mr J.H.D. Day : Before the Chinese boom occurred, you mean. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. We had massive youth unemployment and no training programs. The education system was 40 years out of date. Mr C.J. Barnett : You have run education well! What a stunning success! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - that we have one of the most outstanding parliamentary representatives anywhere in Australia representing the key electorate, and the lowest unemployment that we have had. I think there have been two monthly figures of three per cent, which are the lowest unemployment figures we have had since records have been kept in the nature in which they are kept now for something like 30 years. Of course, there is competition for labour in Western Australia. We see the ramifications of it in the public sector, where we are finding it difficult to get enough staff for our schools and to meet our desired targets in the police area, and so on. There is competition for labour in Western Australia, unlike the circumstances that were afoot when we came into government, when the Western Australian economy, which was then about a $73 billion economy, was in decline. We had massive - Mr J.H.D. Day : Before the Chinese boom occurred, you mean. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. We had massive youth unemployment and no training programs. The education system was 40 years out of date. Mr C.J. Barnett : You have run education well! What a stunning success! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr J.H.D. Day : Before the Chinese boom occurred, you mean. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. We had massive youth unemployment and no training programs. The education system was 40 years out of date. Mr C.J. Barnett : You have run education well! What a stunning success! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. We had massive youth unemployment and no training programs. The education system was 40 years out of date. Mr C.J. Barnett : You have run education well! What a stunning success! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr C.J. Barnett : You have run education well! What a stunning success! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The member for Cottesloe has interjected again! He cannot help himself! He is pushing 60, yet he behaves like a spoilt schoolboy! Every time the member for Cottesloe sits in this chamber, he pours bile, abuse and vitriol over everyone who walks past him. That includes, as we have seen, not only members of his own team in this chamber, but also members in the other chamber. The member for Cottesloe might like to confirm this. Has the member for Cottesloe ever described the members of his own team as small-time crooks and non-achievers? Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr C.J. Barnett : No. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No? I have a fairly distinct memory that he has done just that! He has said they are small-time crooks and non-achievers! That is what the member for Cottesloe thinks of the members of his own team! Not only can the member for Cottesloe not trust his own team in the upper house, but also that is what he thinks of his team in general! Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I ask that the Premier withdraw that statement, or, if he is not willing to do that, that he produce it. I would hate to have this Parliament have a debate based on fabrications. The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
The SPEAKER : Order! I presume the member’s point of order is that the statement attacks his character in relation to the comment. Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Absolutely. The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
The SPEAKER : Order! I do not know whether it does attack the member’s character in relation to the quoting of that comment, but the reference to being a spoilt schoolboy probably does, so I ask the Premier to withdraw that comment. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am happy to withdraw. I think the point has been made. I will let members of the opposition in both this house and the upper house make their own judgement. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : This state is in a competition for labour, because salaries, particularly in the mining and resources area, have increased significantly. What we need to guard against in our industrial relations settings is a circumstance in which the competition is among labour for jobs, and because there is no floor or safety net, there is a downward spiral in wages and conditions. That is what we on this side of politics want to protect; we always have, and we always will. I believe that is a very good position to take. In relation to taking up the fight to federal Labor, I do not think that is quite the attitude I will be taking to it, somehow! Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.
Western Australia is carrying the economy of the nation on its back and is producing great benefits for this nation. I anticipate - I may be wrong, of course - that later this year there will a change of government federally, and that finally there will be some reward from the federal government to the hardworking Western Australians for the contribution that we make to the national economy.

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