❓ Mr Trenorden questions Treasurer Ripper about alleged cuts to capital works spending in police, health and education despite increased tax revenue. Ripper defends the government's financial management, citing record low debt and increased overall spending in key sectors.
AnsweredQoN 705Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Treasurer to his statement in the House yesterday regarding the massive tax hikes that he has imposed on Western Australians and his claim that he is proud to be spending more on health, education, and law and order. (1) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on the capital works program for the Police Service in the past financial year was $27 million less than the amount spent in 2000-01? (2) Is the Treasurer aware that spending on health capital works in the past financial year was $7 million less than the amount spent in 2000-01? (3) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on education capital works was not even an increase of half of one per cent before inflation on the spending of 2000-01? (4) Is the Treasurer proud to achieve absolutely nothing with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(1) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on the capital works program for the Police Service in the past financial year was $27 million less than the amount spent in 2000-01? (2) Is the Treasurer aware that spending on health capital works in the past financial year was $7 million less than the amount spent in 2000-01? (3) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on education capital works was not even an increase of half of one per cent before inflation on the spending of 2000-01? (4) Is the Treasurer proud to achieve absolutely nothing with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(2) Is the Treasurer aware that spending on health capital works in the past financial year was $7 million less than the amount spent in 2000-01? (3) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on education capital works was not even an increase of half of one per cent before inflation on the spending of 2000-01? (4) Is the Treasurer proud to achieve absolutely nothing with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(3) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on education capital works was not even an increase of half of one per cent before inflation on the spending of 2000-01? (4) Is the Treasurer proud to achieve absolutely nothing with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(4) Is the Treasurer proud to achieve absolutely nothing with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(1) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on the capital works program for the Police Service in the past financial year was $27 million less than the amount spent in 2000-01? (2) Is the Treasurer aware that spending on health capital works in the past financial year was $7 million less than the amount spent in 2000-01? (3) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on education capital works was not even an increase of half of one per cent before inflation on the spending of 2000-01? (4) Is the Treasurer proud to achieve absolutely nothing with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(2) Is the Treasurer aware that spending on health capital works in the past financial year was $7 million less than the amount spent in 2000-01? (3) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on education capital works was not even an increase of half of one per cent before inflation on the spending of 2000-01? (4) Is the Treasurer proud to achieve absolutely nothing with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(3) Is the Treasurer aware that Labor’s spending on education capital works was not even an increase of half of one per cent before inflation on the spending of 2000-01? (4) Is the Treasurer proud to achieve absolutely nothing with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(4) Is the Treasurer proud to achieve absolutely nothing with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
(1)-(4) Opposition members complain about debt. They want more expenditure on capital works but less debt. I can tell the Leader of the National Party that debt under this Government is the lowest on record, and lower than when it was elected. The Leader of the National Party must make up his mind about whether he supports lower debt or more expenditure on capital works. At the moment, he is trying to have his cake and to eat it too. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! The level of interjection started quite well, but very rapidly began to escalate. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The coalition must make up its mind about whether it supports more debt and more capital works or less debt and the forgoing of some capital works. That is what financial planning is about. This question is a further example of the fact that the Opposition has a promise for every person but no plan to pay for those promises. If it had a plan, its members would know whether they were in favour of higher debt levels and a higher level of capital works or lower debt levels and a lower level of capital works. Members opposite are trying to have their cake and to eat it too. I repeat that I am proud that the Government is spending more than $800 million a year more on health than was provided in the last budget of the previous Government. When we add together what the Government is spending on those key areas, it is the equivalent of a Mandurah railway in additional funding each year on those key community priorities. Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: People are very unhappy in the health system. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party talks about results. Does the Leader of the National Party not support there being 1 200 extra nurses in the system? Does he not support there being nearly 1 000 extra teachers in the system? Does he not support having 250 extra police officers in the system? This is a further example of the Opposition’s lack of financial credibility. It just does not get it. If members opposite want to lead this State and if they want to pretend to be the alternative Government, they must come to grips with the question of financial planning. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Order, member for Darling Range! Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: On the question of capital works, there will be variances in the level of funding from year to year because it is project-related. However, the total of the Government’s capital works expenditure this financial year is a record $3.9 billion. The Government is able to invest in infrastructure and to have record low debt because of the way in which it has managed the State’s finances and in particular because of the way in which it has prioritised so that key areas get the money. The Government does not spend willy-nilly on other areas. That has enabled it to have a surplus on day-to-day expenses that can then be used to fund infrastructure. The Leader of the National Party knows that expenditure on capital works is volatile from year to year depending on the projects. The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has a record level of capital expenditure in this budget. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the second time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party knows that the Government has record low debt. What he does not know is how to construct a proper financial plan and how to communicate that to the electorate. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party does not know about accountability. Day after day in this House he and his colleagues have been found wanting on the question of financial and economic management. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: I do not know how many times I must tell people. I call the member for Nedlands to order for the third time. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party was the chair of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee. He sat as chairman of that committee year after year while the previous Government raised taxes in five budgets out of eight and ran five budget deficits out of eight budgets. Did we ever hear a peep from the Chairman of the Public Accounts and Expenditure Review Committee, the Leader of the National Party, about the appalling financial management of the Court Government under the stewardship of the present Leader of the Opposition, the then Minister for Resources Development, Energy and Education, who sat on the Cabinet Budget Committee? No; he did not complain once about the five budgets in which taxes were increased. He did not complain once about the five budgets in which there were deficits.
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