❓ Hon. N.F. Moore questions the dramatic reduction in the Government Employees Housing Authority (GEHA) capital works budget. Hon. Tom Stephens responds by blaming the previous government's mismanagement and outlining a new business plan focused on mortgage assistance.
AnsweredQoN 517Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government Employees Housing Authority budget that was announced today. The 2000-01 budget for GEHA was $4.2 million, and the estimated actual was $8 million. The budget estimate for 2001-02 is $2.3 million, which is half the budget for the previous year and one-quarter of the estimated actual for 2000-01. Can the minister explain why the GEHA capital works budget has been reduced so dramatically? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
This year’s budget faces the challenge of overcoming the mismanagement of this State under the previous Government. The response to the needs of the Government Employees Housing Authority is just as challenging for this Government as it has been for every other Government. In order to respond to the legitimate aspiration of government employees for accommodation in areas of Western Australia in which that housing is necessary, it is important that we quickly turn around the business plan that was adopted by the previous Government and that has failed that statutory agency. The Leader of the Opposition has referred to what I would call a bullish estimate of the actual from last year - Hon N.F. Moore: It is now September. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but when the Leader of the Opposition sees the final figure he will find that it is - Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: This year’s budget faces the challenge of overcoming the mismanagement of this State under the previous Government. The response to the needs of the Government Employees Housing Authority is just as challenging for this Government as it has been for every other Government. In order to respond to the legitimate aspiration of government employees for accommodation in areas of Western Australia in which that housing is necessary, it is important that we quickly turn around the business plan that was adopted by the previous Government and that has failed that statutory agency. The Leader of the Opposition has referred to what I would call a bullish estimate of the actual from last year - Hon N.F. Moore: It is now September. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but when the Leader of the Opposition sees the final figure he will find that it is - Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
This year’s budget faces the challenge of overcoming the mismanagement of this State under the previous Government. The response to the needs of the Government Employees Housing Authority is just as challenging for this Government as it has been for every other Government. In order to respond to the legitimate aspiration of government employees for accommodation in areas of Western Australia in which that housing is necessary, it is important that we quickly turn around the business plan that was adopted by the previous Government and that has failed that statutory agency. The Leader of the Opposition has referred to what I would call a bullish estimate of the actual from last year - Hon N.F. Moore: It is now September. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but when the Leader of the Opposition sees the final figure he will find that it is - Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon N.F. Moore: It is now September. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but when the Leader of the Opposition sees the final figure he will find that it is - Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but when the Leader of the Opposition sees the final figure he will find that it is - Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: This year’s budget faces the challenge of overcoming the mismanagement of this State under the previous Government. The response to the needs of the Government Employees Housing Authority is just as challenging for this Government as it has been for every other Government. In order to respond to the legitimate aspiration of government employees for accommodation in areas of Western Australia in which that housing is necessary, it is important that we quickly turn around the business plan that was adopted by the previous Government and that has failed that statutory agency. The Leader of the Opposition has referred to what I would call a bullish estimate of the actual from last year - Hon N.F. Moore: It is now September. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but when the Leader of the Opposition sees the final figure he will find that it is - Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
This year’s budget faces the challenge of overcoming the mismanagement of this State under the previous Government. The response to the needs of the Government Employees Housing Authority is just as challenging for this Government as it has been for every other Government. In order to respond to the legitimate aspiration of government employees for accommodation in areas of Western Australia in which that housing is necessary, it is important that we quickly turn around the business plan that was adopted by the previous Government and that has failed that statutory agency. The Leader of the Opposition has referred to what I would call a bullish estimate of the actual from last year - Hon N.F. Moore: It is now September. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but when the Leader of the Opposition sees the final figure he will find that it is - Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon N.F. Moore: It is now September. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but when the Leader of the Opposition sees the final figure he will find that it is - Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but when the Leader of the Opposition sees the final figure he will find that it is - Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon Peter Foss: Widely out. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Bullish. Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon Peter Foss: How wrong can you be about what you spent? Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: They are the former Government’s estimates. Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon Peter Foss: No. It is what you have spent. The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not a debating period. The minister will direct himself to answering the first question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: This Government will need to come forward with a sustainable business plan for government employee housing across Western Australia. That will include a proposal, for which I have already obtained Cabinet’s approval, that government employees obtain mortgage assistance rather than government-provided housing. That will produce some savings. It will also provide increased opportunities. I do not have the budget papers that were referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Would the Leader of the Opposition like to pass them across? The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
The PRESIDENT: Order! This is not an ongoing debate. The minister will address himself to the question. Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon Peter Foss: Did they not tell you? Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Indeed they did. I presume the Leader of the Opposition was referring to page 352 of the 2001-02 Budget Statements when he said that the total cost of the GEHA capital works program has an estimated actual - and the Leader of the Opposition will note that that is not the final actual - that is different from the budget estimate for 2001-02. The Leader of the Opposition needs to know that our response includes an invitation from the Cabinet Economic Review Committee to come forward with a business plan that will produce sustainable housing for that authority. Such a plan was not on offer from the former Government in its eight years in office. It will also include government employee mortgage assistance. That will be of substantial assistance to the taxpayers of Western Australia, to the regional communities that those employees serve, and to the government employees who will benefit from the scheme.
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