❓ Opposition questions the Premier on increased public utility charges and licensing fees, claiming it contradicts pre-election promises and contributes to a budget deficit. The Premier defends the increases by citing a discovered 'black hole' in the budget inherited from the previous government and highlights their commitment to protecting households.
AnsweredQoN 158Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE TAXES AND CHARGES, INCREASE CONTRARY TO ELECTION PROMISE 158. Mr BARNETT to the Premier: (1) Can the Premier explain to the House why he has increased public utility charges and licensing fees, imposing a significant burden on everyday Western Australian households, when he publicly stated during the pre-election debate televised around the State on 31 January this year that taxes and charges would not rise under Labor? (2) Given that his Government’s lavish $1.2 billion election promises have blown out by at least $200 million because of commitments made since Labor took office, will the Premier finally take responsibility for governing this State and acknowledge that his vote-buying promises are responsible for his budget black hole? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I am delighted to answer the question. (1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
STATE TAXES AND CHARGES, INCREASE CONTRARY TO ELECTION PROMISE
(1) Can the Premier explain to the House why he has increased public utility charges and licensing fees, imposing a significant burden on everyday Western Australian households, when he publicly stated during the pre-election debate televised around the State on 31 January this year that taxes and charges would not rise under Labor? (2) Given that his Government’s lavish $1.2 billion election promises have blown out by at least $200 million because of commitments made since Labor took office, will the Premier finally take responsibility for governing this State and acknowledge that his vote-buying promises are responsible for his budget black hole? Dr GALLOP replied: I am delighted to answer the question. (1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
(2) Given that his Government’s lavish $1.2 billion election promises have blown out by at least $200 million because of commitments made since Labor took office, will the Premier finally take responsibility for governing this State and acknowledge that his vote-buying promises are responsible for his budget black hole? Dr GALLOP replied: I am delighted to answer the question. (1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP replied: I am delighted to answer the question. (1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
I am delighted to answer the question. (1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
(1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
STATE TAXES AND CHARGES, INCREASE CONTRARY TO ELECTION PROMISE
(1) Can the Premier explain to the House why he has increased public utility charges and licensing fees, imposing a significant burden on everyday Western Australian households, when he publicly stated during the pre-election debate televised around the State on 31 January this year that taxes and charges would not rise under Labor? (2) Given that his Government’s lavish $1.2 billion election promises have blown out by at least $200 million because of commitments made since Labor took office, will the Premier finally take responsibility for governing this State and acknowledge that his vote-buying promises are responsible for his budget black hole? Dr GALLOP replied: I am delighted to answer the question. (1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
(2) Given that his Government’s lavish $1.2 billion election promises have blown out by at least $200 million because of commitments made since Labor took office, will the Premier finally take responsibility for governing this State and acknowledge that his vote-buying promises are responsible for his budget black hole? Dr GALLOP replied: I am delighted to answer the question. (1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP replied: I am delighted to answer the question. (1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
I am delighted to answer the question. (1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
(1)-(2) Unlike those on the other side of House, when the election campaign approached in Western Australia, the Government put forward a complete plan regarding what it intended to do for the people of Western Australia. It made it absolutely clear that the plan was to work within the context of achieving responsible fiscal targets for the State. On coming into government we found what was described by the Treasurer in a speech to this Parliament - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP: We have discovered what has been quite correctly labelled by the Treasurer as the Leader of the Opposition’s black hole. We have a number of choices in this situation. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP: We either cut back on public expenditure more than we thought we had to when we developed our plan, or we look at the revenue side of the equation. Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Mr Barnett: You misled the people of this State. Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP: No, the misleading was by the Leader of the Opposition, as has been indicated by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Treasurer, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Police. One by one they have come into this Parliament and indicated how the Leader of the Opposition misled the people of Western Australia about the forward estimates. We were met with that situation when we came into government and how are we addressing it? We are addressing it firstly by taking a real interest in the ordinary households of Western Australia and making sure that their interests are taken into account. There will be no increase in electricity charges or public transport concessions fares. We are limiting increases in public transport fares to an average of 2.5 per cent. Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Let us look at the public transport record of the previous Government. I want to remind the House of that record; members will be interested in this. In 1993-94 the increase in public transport fares was 11.9 per cent; in 1994-95 it was 14.1 per cent; and in 1995-96 it was 10.8 per cent. It was interesting that there was no increase in 1996 as that was an election year! In 1997-98 the increase was 9.5 per cent; in 1998-99 it was 4.3 per cent; and in 2000-01, 6.2 per cent. This Government is fulfilling its targets - Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Mr Barnett: This is about a promise by the Premier. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition. Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
Dr GALLOP: There is now a responsible Government in charge of the finances of this State. Can the Leader of the Opposition tell this House which areas of public expenditure he wants to cut? When we inherited the books, we were faced with either implementing further cuts in public expenditure or increasing revenue, taking into account the needs of small business and the household sector. The Leader of the Opposition must tell us which parts of the budgets of the Minister for Health, the Minister for Police and the Minister for Education are to be taken out. This Government can add up, and when it came into office, it found that the figures did not add up. We are responsibly addressing that issue and, unlike those opposite, we will make sure that ordinary households and small businesses in this State are relieved of the sorts of pressures that were placed on them by that side of House.
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