Mr Catania questions the Premier about missed opportunities to increase special lease rental from the Channar Joint Venture agreement. The Premier deflects, accusing the National Party of undermining the iron ore industry and WA's relationship with China.

AnsweredQoN 595Legislative Assembly
Asked
1 November 2017
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

IRON ORE (CHANNAR JOINT VENTURE) (HAMERSLEY RANGE)
AGREEMENT
595. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Has
the state government missed out on its chance to begin the conversation about
increasing the special lease rental from this missed deal?

AnswerView source ↗

I am sorry, I did not catch the
question but I heard the normal National Party chant against the iron ore
industry. From my recollection as well, local government rates will be paid as
part of this agreement, which, no doubt, would make the local authority happy.
But the idea that we would undermine this agreement of all agreements—this
one —
Mr
V.A. Catania interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Seriously, we have a trading
relationship with China in excess of $60 billion. Without that relationship
between Western Australia and China, the entire nation's economy would
be stuffed. The member for North West Central comes in here asking about that
very small but very symbolic mine and suggests we should undermine that agreement.
Consider this: for eight and a half years the National Party was in government—for
the member for North West Central, of course, it was eight years. It was eight
years for him, but he —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members for Warren–Blackwood and North West Central, I call
you to order.
Mr
M. McGOWAN : During the eight years that you were in government, you did
nothing.
Mr V.A. Catania interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for North West Central, it is not a little platform to have
a chat. I call you to order for the second time.
Mr
M. McGOWAN : What is plain is that if the National Party is ever part of
another government, that will be an economic catastrophe for this state.

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