❓ Opposition questions Premier about cabinet reshuffle and perceived underperformance of some ministers. Premier defends his cabinet, highlighting WA's strong economic performance and ministers' capabilities.
AnsweredQoN 344Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COOK MINISTRY — CONSTITUTION
344. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
Before I ask my question, I would
like to take a moment to express the opposition's condolences to the
family of Constable Anthony Woods, who tragically passed away this week. It is
regrettable that this has happened to Constable
Woods' family and we express our deepest sympathy to his family and to
the rest of the Western Australia Police Force.
This is the first question to the
Premier in his role, and I acknowledge his appointment as Premier. I refer to
the recent top-heavy cabinet reshuffle that heaps more work onto a few already
struggling ministers and sees many members languishing on the back bench. Given
this is the so-called grand final team that the Premier claims he will take to
the next election, why has he failed to bench ministers who are retiring or
simply failing to deliver?
344. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Premier:
Before I ask my question, I would
like to take a moment to express the opposition's condolences to the
family of Constable Anthony Woods, who tragically passed away this week. It is
regrettable that this has happened to Constable
Woods' family and we express our deepest sympathy to his family and to
the rest of the Western Australia Police Force.
This is the first question to the
Premier in his role, and I acknowledge his appointment as Premier. I refer to
the recent top-heavy cabinet reshuffle that heaps more work onto a few already
struggling ministers and sees many members languishing on the back bench. Given
this is the so-called grand final team that the Premier claims he will take to
the next election, why has he failed to bench ministers who are retiring or
simply failing to deliver?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question and join everyone in
acknowledging the passing of Constable Woods. It was a horrible,
horrible event that none of our first responder heroes should ever have to
experience. Our hearts go out to all of Constable Woods' family and the
police force family. It was a truly tragic set of circumstances. I commend the
Minister for Police for the remarks he has made. Minister, please pass on the
regards and the condolences of the Parliament.
I also acknowledge that we lost
another of our own overnight, with an accident on a worksite in Onslow. No-one
should go to work and not expect to see their loved ones at the end of their
shift. We take a moment to reflect on that as well.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition
for the question. It gives me an opportunity to remind the member of the solid,
responsible, strong government we have in Western Australia. We have the lowest
level of unemployment. We have the highest
level of economic growth. We have the strongest performing economy in the
world. That is because the McGowan government batted deep. We bat deep
and we are strong and confident, and that is the government we bring to the
people of Western Australia. I will peg any of my ministers against any member
of the opposition any day of the week! I think, Leader of the Opposition, we
all look a bit more refreshed than the opposition at this stage.
I
accept that some of our ministers are very talented, and they have workloads
commensurate with their skills. I am delighted to have Deputy Premier Rita
Saffioti sitting beside me. She will make a fine Treasurer. I note that we have always had Treasurers with other
responsibilities. For instance, Hon Troy Buswell was Minister for Transport ;
Housing; Emergency Services while he was Treasurer. I note that Hon Richard Court
was Premier; Treasurer and Minister for
Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Tourism; Youth. This is not an
unusual set of circumstances , and the Deputy Premier will carry this
great responsibility to great effect.
I
also note, looking at the Treasurers in other parts of Australia, that they,
too, enjoy very high levels of responsibility . For instance, Hon Tim Pallas
in South Australia is Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations; Trade
and Investment. In Queensland, Hon Cameron Dick is Treasurer and Minister for
State Development. He was Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning as well until just recently. We expect a lot from
our cabinet ministers and they deliver . They deliver in strong
employment and in terms of strong economic performance. They are creating jobs.
They are performing at the peak of their
energies. I will finish with an observation that another member of this
Parliament made—that is, the member for Roe's recent
comments about the performance of the opposition. He said, ''We are
lacking some fuel in the tank and it's quite challenging and the
workload is pretty heavy.'' I can assure the member for Roe that we have
the energy. We are a refreshed, confident, solid team, and we will continue to
perform for the people of Western Australia.
thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question and join everyone in
acknowledging the passing of Constable Woods. It was a horrible,
horrible event that none of our first responder heroes should ever have to
experience. Our hearts go out to all of Constable Woods' family and the
police force family. It was a truly tragic set of circumstances. I commend the
Minister for Police for the remarks he has made. Minister, please pass on the
regards and the condolences of the Parliament.
I also acknowledge that we lost
another of our own overnight, with an accident on a worksite in Onslow. No-one
should go to work and not expect to see their loved ones at the end of their
shift. We take a moment to reflect on that as well.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition
for the question. It gives me an opportunity to remind the member of the solid,
responsible, strong government we have in Western Australia. We have the lowest
level of unemployment. We have the highest
level of economic growth. We have the strongest performing economy in the
world. That is because the McGowan government batted deep. We bat deep
and we are strong and confident, and that is the government we bring to the
people of Western Australia. I will peg any of my ministers against any member
of the opposition any day of the week! I think, Leader of the Opposition, we
all look a bit more refreshed than the opposition at this stage.
I
accept that some of our ministers are very talented, and they have workloads
commensurate with their skills. I am delighted to have Deputy Premier Rita
Saffioti sitting beside me. She will make a fine Treasurer. I note that we have always had Treasurers with other
responsibilities. For instance, Hon Troy Buswell was Minister for Transport ;
Housing; Emergency Services while he was Treasurer. I note that Hon Richard Court
was Premier; Treasurer and Minister for
Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Tourism; Youth. This is not an
unusual set of circumstances , and the Deputy Premier will carry this
great responsibility to great effect.
I
also note, looking at the Treasurers in other parts of Australia, that they,
too, enjoy very high levels of responsibility . For instance, Hon Tim Pallas
in South Australia is Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations; Trade
and Investment. In Queensland, Hon Cameron Dick is Treasurer and Minister for
State Development. He was Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning as well until just recently. We expect a lot from
our cabinet ministers and they deliver . They deliver in strong
employment and in terms of strong economic performance. They are creating jobs.
They are performing at the peak of their
energies. I will finish with an observation that another member of this
Parliament made—that is, the member for Roe's recent
comments about the performance of the opposition. He said, ''We are
lacking some fuel in the tank and it's quite challenging and the
workload is pretty heavy.'' I can assure the member for Roe that we have
the energy. We are a refreshed, confident, solid team, and we will continue to
perform for the people of Western Australia.
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