❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Toodyay bushfire and the government's response, particularly concerning a public inquiry and the reliability of the regional power network. The Minister's answer deflects blame to the previous government while outlining current and future investments in infrastructure.
AnsweredQoN 780Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
toodyay bushfire — PUBLIC INQUIRY
I refer to a recent meeting between the minister, representatives of the Toodyay community and the minister’s colleagues Hon Philip Gardiner, MLC, and the member for Moore here at Parliament House. (1) Can the minister confirm that in that meeting the representatives from Toodyay reiterated their request for a public inquiry into the fire? (2) Having heard those representations, what is the National Party policy on such an inquiry? (3) What action, if any, has the minister taken as a consequence of that meeting? (4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
I refer to a recent meeting between the minister, representatives of the Toodyay community and the minister’s colleagues Hon Philip Gardiner, MLC, and the member for Moore here at Parliament House. (1) Can the minister confirm that in that meeting the representatives from Toodyay reiterated their request for a public inquiry into the fire? (2) Having heard those representations, what is the National Party policy on such an inquiry? (3) What action, if any, has the minister taken as a consequence of that meeting? (4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(1) Can the minister confirm that in that meeting the representatives from Toodyay reiterated their request for a public inquiry into the fire? (2) Having heard those representations, what is the National Party policy on such an inquiry? (3) What action, if any, has the minister taken as a consequence of that meeting? (4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(2) Having heard those representations, what is the National Party policy on such an inquiry? (3) What action, if any, has the minister taken as a consequence of that meeting? (4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(3) What action, if any, has the minister taken as a consequence of that meeting? (4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(1) Can the minister confirm that in that meeting the representatives from Toodyay reiterated their request for a public inquiry into the fire? (2) Having heard those representations, what is the National Party policy on such an inquiry? (3) What action, if any, has the minister taken as a consequence of that meeting? (4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(2) Having heard those representations, what is the National Party policy on such an inquiry? (3) What action, if any, has the minister taken as a consequence of that meeting? (4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(3) What action, if any, has the minister taken as a consequence of that meeting? (4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(4) Is the minister concerned that the failure of local infrastructure such as the power network has significant flow-on effects in regional Western Australia? (5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(5) Is the minister aware that the power pole replacement program funded in April is yet to commence and that much of regional WA will be exposed to the risk of fire similar to Toodyay until that replacement occurs? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
I thank the member for that question. (1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
(1)–(5) I can confirm that we did meet with some representatives of the Toodyay community, a meeting put together by the Speaker as the local member for that region. By way of background to this issue, it is important to understand that I remember sitting opposite and the current Leader of the Opposition standing up in this Parliament telling members that he had solved the power problems in regional Western Australia. He said that the investment that the previous government had put into power would solve those problems and deal with reliability and safety. I find it quite strange that another member of that same government would stand up and question that investment and question the safety and reliability of that system when the former government committed to fixing it. That is the backdrop to this very great tragedy that happened in Toodyay. The investment in that region and across the state has been underdone for years and years. I also take some degree of credit as the Nationals in opposition started the process of forcing the previous government to recognise that this was a real and ongoing problem. That problem was quantified when we ran out of power in February a few years ago. We are again seeing the reliability of that network come into question when events like this happen. The Nationals absolutely know and I am very confident that our partners in government—the Liberals, including the Premier, the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Energy in the other place—are absolutely critically aware of that importance. That is why we have already made the commitment to further invest in that network. We have made a commitment to ensure that everything that is possible to be done to improve the safety and reliability of that power network can be done so that off the back of a dry season like we have had, the inevitable fires that occur are reduced by the fact that our energy network is better. I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
I said to those people in that meeting that I thought we had three inquiries so far. Those inquiries had given different interpretations of the facts. That will always be disputed. I am absolutely aware that the good people of Toodyay want to see an inquiry that puts the blame wholly and solely on somebody. That will allow them to reconcile what has been a tragic circumstance for that community. However, there is a proper process for that. I think the courts are probably the best place to drill down into that rather than another government inquiry. Whatever the result of that other government inquiry, it will suit some people and not others and it will be disputed. The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
The compensation package put forward by the government for those affected by the fire is generous. It is something that we did quickly to make sure that we got an outcome on the ground for those people affected. Off the back of that, we made sure that those people had the ability to go to court to seek remedy if that is what they choose to do. The government will continue to look at the electricity network, the way that we generate and transport it and the safety of that network so we know that should a tragedy occur in our areas, which seems most likely given Tenterden and other bushfires that we have had, we know that the network is safe and reliable into the future so we have good, safe, reliable power for our country communities. We will continue to work closely with the Toodyay community and all regional Western Australian communities to make sure that they can have some comfort in the electricity network.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.