❓ Opposition Leader accuses the Premier of economic mismanagement during boom times, leading to current unemployment issues. The Premier defends the government's diversification efforts across various sectors.
AnsweredQoN 524Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE ECONOMY — UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
524. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Is it not the case that the Premier
blew debt and blew deficits and failed to diversify the economy during the
economic good times, therefore making it much worse now?
524. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Is it not the case that the Premier
blew debt and blew deficits and failed to diversify the economy during the
economic good times, therefore making it much worse now?
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker —
Mr R.H. Cook : Nowhere to run; nowhere to hide.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nowhere to hide, Mr Speaker!
The SPEAKER : Thank you!
Mr M. McGowan : You have no economic plan.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I heard your question. Failure to diversify
the economy: Ord stage 2, saleyards, genetically modified crops—decisions
made by this government in our first year. The agriculture sector is growing.
We have been developing tourism in Western Australia. Elizabeth Quay—opposed
by Labor. The new Perth Stadium—opposed by Labor. It is the case with
project after project and our science policy. Our international expansion
throughout South-East Asia and the Indian Ocean—you ridicule; you laugh
at it; you oppose it. You oppose diversification in mining. You oppose uranium
mining. That will be one of the growth sectors. The world is going to use more
nuclear energy. You oppose it. Trading hours is another example.
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has made decisions across
every single portfolio, and we have taken major decisions on improving Perth as
a destination and we have taken major decisions in health and in education.
That is all part of diversifying our economy. We are now seeing an increase in
growth in some of those sectors outside mining and particularly in agriculture.
Please, Leader of the Opposition, if you are going to be a serious Leader of
the Opposition, because I think you are going to be in that job for quite a while,
ask questions directly of responsible ministers.
Mr R.H. Cook : Nowhere to run; nowhere to hide.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Nowhere to hide, Mr Speaker!
The SPEAKER : Thank you!
Mr M. McGowan : You have no economic plan.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I heard your question. Failure to diversify
the economy: Ord stage 2, saleyards, genetically modified crops—decisions
made by this government in our first year. The agriculture sector is growing.
We have been developing tourism in Western Australia. Elizabeth Quay—opposed
by Labor. The new Perth Stadium—opposed by Labor. It is the case with
project after project and our science policy. Our international expansion
throughout South-East Asia and the Indian Ocean—you ridicule; you laugh
at it; you oppose it. You oppose diversification in mining. You oppose uranium
mining. That will be one of the growth sectors. The world is going to use more
nuclear energy. You oppose it. Trading hours is another example.
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has made decisions across
every single portfolio, and we have taken major decisions on improving Perth as
a destination and we have taken major decisions in health and in education.
That is all part of diversifying our economy. We are now seeing an increase in
growth in some of those sectors outside mining and particularly in agriculture.
Please, Leader of the Opposition, if you are going to be a serious Leader of
the Opposition, because I think you are going to be in that job for quite a while,
ask questions directly of responsible ministers.
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