❓ Shadow Minister Ripper questions Premier Barnett about the re-merger of electricity utilities, citing concerns from business and farming groups. The Premier defends the review, highlighting the failures of the previous disaggregation and indicating preliminary work is underway, but provides no timeline.
AnsweredQoN 601Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ELECTRICITY UTILITIES — RE-MERGER
I refer to comments today by the chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, James Pearson, that Premier Barnett’s plan for a re-merger in WA’s electricity system is a threat to WA businesses and households, who need a secure, reliable, competitive and cleaner energy supply. I refer also to comments from the WA Farmers Federation that discussions this week of a merger of power utilities are only acting as a smokescreen to the real issues facing all Western Australians, especially those in rural areas. (1) What processes are being established within the government to consider it? (2) Which minister and agency has carriage? (3) When will the Premier make a formal decision? (4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to comments today by the chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, James Pearson, that Premier Barnett’s plan for a re-merger in WA’s electricity system is a threat to WA businesses and households, who need a secure, reliable, competitive and cleaner energy supply. I refer also to comments from the WA Farmers Federation that discussions this week of a merger of power utilities are only acting as a smokescreen to the real issues facing all Western Australians, especially those in rural areas. (1) What processes are being established within the government to consider it? (2) Which minister and agency has carriage? (3) When will the Premier make a formal decision? (4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(1) What processes are being established within the government to consider it? (2) Which minister and agency has carriage? (3) When will the Premier make a formal decision? (4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(2) Which minister and agency has carriage? (3) When will the Premier make a formal decision? (4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(3) When will the Premier make a formal decision? (4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(1) What processes are being established within the government to consider it? (2) Which minister and agency has carriage? (3) When will the Premier make a formal decision? (4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(2) Which minister and agency has carriage? (3) When will the Premier make a formal decision? (4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(3) When will the Premier make a formal decision? (4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(4) When does he expect legislation to come to the Parliament? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
(1)–(4) I think I have been very clear on this issue. The two points I have made is that the breaking up of the former Western Power into four utilities has clearly not worked. The second point I have made very clearly is that the government is having a re-look at this. Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : I am asking about the details — Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No; I am answering the question. Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Well answer it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh! We are looking at whether Verve and Synergy should be one entity. We are not looking at including the powerline or the current Western Power network, nor are we looking at including regional power — Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : By what process? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Oh, Mr Speaker — Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Well, I have asked that question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have been going, I think, less than 30 seconds. The disaggregation that the Leader of the Opposition put in place when he was Minister for Energy has clearly failed and we are looking at perhaps bringing Synergy and Verve together. We are not looking at bringing the network system back in, nor are we considering bringing in regional power—Horizon Power. That is what is being looked at by me and the Minister for Energy, Hon Peter Collier. Some preliminary work is being done within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. That is where it is at; there is no timetable, but I am being very open. Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : So, there’s no time line? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No, there is not. I am just saying that we are looking at it—we are looking at it. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect to make a decision? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition just admitted that there was no time line. He seemed to grasp that point and then lose it. The Leader of the Oppositions seems to want to defend this failed experiment. Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr M. McGowan : Experiment in competition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I just remind — Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr M. McGowan interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Your party voted for it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : When we browse through Hansard , as we all do, we come across things. I wonder who said this, which is a quote from Hansard of 25 November 2003 — … in other words, compared with what would happen if we were to stay with the status quo—electricity prices will fall by 8.5 per cent by 2010. Hon Eric Ripper said that prices would fall by 8.5 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Compared with what would happen if we stuck with the status quo. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the test he put there. Do members remember prices falling? They cannot remember it. By the Leader of the Opposition’s policy—his criteria—they were going to fall by 2010. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They were going to fall under market pressure. The Leader of the Opposition loves his forward estimates. He is always off there somewhere over the horizon in the future, never in the real world. Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Just holding you to your own budget papers. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : He loves forward estimates. The concern has been about generation, about Verve. The Labor government estimated a $55 million before-tax profit for Verve for the three years following the split. The reality was not a $54 million profit as forecast by Labor, but—listen for it—a $498 million loss. That is the other criteria of his performance, and the financing of that has directly cost electricity consumers. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James Pearson say what he says? Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition can talk to James; I am just carrying on here. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why does James have that view? Why are you the only person? James is wrong, okay. The Farmers Federation is wrong. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has it increased costs in the system? We would think that with four utilities, four boards, four CEOs, four human resources systems and four IT systems, yes, it probably has. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : What about your new departments? The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give the Leader of the Opposition three examples? Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : How many new departments have you created? The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, member for Rockingham and member for West Swan, I am going to ask for no interjections from you three. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Has the split resulted in unnecessary cost increases? Yes, it has. I can give just three examples, the sorts of examples the public would well understand — Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number one is that the creation of four corporations, each with a board, has resulted in board sitting fees increasing from $393 500 in 2006 to $1.517 million, an increase of $1.124 million, or 285 per cent. Board sitting fees have increased by 285 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Example number two is that executive salaries have increased dramatically from $1.87 million in 2006 to $10.5 million in 2009, an increase of 463 per cent. Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Can I give a third example? I am using just three; there are lots more to go. We have days and days of debate coming up. The number of full-time equivalent staff has increased from 2 919 in 2006 to 4 041 in 2009, an increase of 1 122, or 38 per cent, in three years, and do you reckon it has not added to cost and therefore prices to consumers? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why have you allowed that? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Of course it has; the Leader of the Opposition’s policy has absolutely failed; absolutely failed. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is why, in the interests of consumers of electricity, we are looking at bringing Synergy and Verve together, but we have yet to decide that. I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
I make one final point. There are two broad issues here: one is the management and structure of the energy sector. Fair enough, that is a policy role. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Ms R. Saffioti interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Does the member for West Swan want to make the speech? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
The SPEAKER : The Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The management structure of the energy system, reliability of supply and cost to consumers is one issue; it is the most important issue. The other one that is already very important is how the government itself manages its own business units—its own utilities. It is clearly dysfunctional for a government to have four separate utilities that do not talk to each other and do not coordinate their business decisions. That is the prime reason we are looking at bringing together Synergy and Verve
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