❓ Opposition questions the Premier on the Liberal government's commitment to the MAX light rail project, specifically regarding commencement in 2016 and operation by 2018. The Premier acknowledges the commitment but cites changing financial circumstances and project complexity.
AnsweredQoN 106Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — LIGHT RAIL
106. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the government's election commitment that
the MAX light rail would be a key part of the Liberal government's
public transport plan. I refer also to the member for Morley's
commitment, which was distributed around his electorate, of ''Light rail
coming soon'', and that, ''Under a Barnett Liberal Government,
construction of the MAX network will begin in 2016, with commuters able to use
the new service by 2018.''
(1) On what date in 2016 will construction begin?
(2) Does the
Premier guarantee that the commuters of Morley, Mirrabooka and Victoria Park
will be able to use MAX by 2018, as promised?
106. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the government's election commitment that
the MAX light rail would be a key part of the Liberal government's
public transport plan. I refer also to the member for Morley's
commitment, which was distributed around his electorate, of ''Light rail
coming soon'', and that, ''Under a Barnett Liberal Government,
construction of the MAX network will begin in 2016, with commuters able to use
the new service by 2018.''
(1) On what date in 2016 will construction begin?
(2) Does the
Premier guarantee that the commuters of Morley, Mirrabooka and Victoria Park
will be able to use MAX by 2018, as promised?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
MAX light rail is a key project and it will take 25 000 to 30 000 people off
the existing heavy rail and the freeway system. It is also a complex project.
Several
members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is. It is a new mode of transport. The planning will have to be extensive
and everything will have to be dealt with. It will require land acquisitions.
Getting it through the inner suburbs is going to be difficult. So, there is a
lot of work to be done.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Ms M.M. Quirk : In
what year?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We made a commitment that it would begin in 2016; I expect that to be met. But,
as I have said on a number of occasions, the financial position for the state
has changed.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Not
in the last couple of months, it hasn't.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It has; I assure the member it has changed.
In the lead-up to the budget, the Treasurer and I and other
ministers will be scrutinising every item of recurrent expenditure and every
item of capital expenditure, and we will do that to avoid a potential crisis, I
guess, in our financial affairs in two or three years.
An opposition member interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
That is what government does, my friend. What we have in this state, as the
Treasurer has said —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Right.
Premier, there were two parts to the question: whether construction would begin
in 2016 and whether it would be in use by 2018. I think you have answered most
of it. I do not know whether you want to say much more.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We are planning for construction to begin in 2016, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
What a rabble.
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Too many fibs, my friend.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah, I call you to order for the first time. Premier, will you
come to a conclusion on this question, please.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes. There are a number of factors. We have just lost another $600 million in
goods and services tax, and that has meant the state is more heavily reliant on
unstable income flows, particularly royalties, but also stamp duties and even
payroll tax, yet our major expenditure in health and education just continues
to grow in a predictable way.
This government will honour its election commitments, but we
will also not place the finances of this state at risk, because to do so would
place at risk education and health funding.
MAX light rail is a key project and it will take 25 000 to 30 000 people off
the existing heavy rail and the freeway system. It is also a complex project.
Several
members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is. It is a new mode of transport. The planning will have to be extensive
and everything will have to be dealt with. It will require land acquisitions.
Getting it through the inner suburbs is going to be difficult. So, there is a
lot of work to be done.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Ms M.M. Quirk : In
what year?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We made a commitment that it would begin in 2016; I expect that to be met. But,
as I have said on a number of occasions, the financial position for the state
has changed.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Not
in the last couple of months, it hasn't.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It has; I assure the member it has changed.
In the lead-up to the budget, the Treasurer and I and other
ministers will be scrutinising every item of recurrent expenditure and every
item of capital expenditure, and we will do that to avoid a potential crisis, I
guess, in our financial affairs in two or three years.
An opposition member interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
That is what government does, my friend. What we have in this state, as the
Treasurer has said —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Right.
Premier, there were two parts to the question: whether construction would begin
in 2016 and whether it would be in use by 2018. I think you have answered most
of it. I do not know whether you want to say much more.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We are planning for construction to begin in 2016, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
What a rabble.
Mr D.A. Templeman interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Too many fibs, my friend.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah, I call you to order for the first time. Premier, will you
come to a conclusion on this question, please.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes. There are a number of factors. We have just lost another $600 million in
goods and services tax, and that has meant the state is more heavily reliant on
unstable income flows, particularly royalties, but also stamp duties and even
payroll tax, yet our major expenditure in health and education just continues
to grow in a predictable way.
This government will honour its election commitments, but we
will also not place the finances of this state at risk, because to do so would
place at risk education and health funding.
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