Opposition Leader Ripper questions Treasurer Barnett about state debt, claiming the government is borrowing $11 million a day. Barnett deflects, stating the upcoming financial results will show improved debt levels below budget forecasts.

AnsweredQoN 467Legislative Assembly
Asked
8 September 2010
Portfolio
Treasurer

QuestionView source ↗

STATE DEBT — BLOW-OUT
I acknowledge the presence of the Shire of Collie president, Mr Wayne Sandford, and his wife, Mary, in the Speaker’s gallery. Yesterday during question time the Treasurer said in response to a question asked by the shadow Treasurer that he is managing the state’s finances properly and conservatively. (1) In light of yesterday’s question, can he confirm that his government is borrowing $11 million a day? (2) Can he confirm that, in the light of that $11 million a day of borrowings, by 2013 the interest bill alone will be $5.1 million a day? (3) Can he explain how borrowing $11 million a day is managing the finances of the state properly and conservatively? Mr C.J. BARNETT

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) In a couple of weeks the final financial results for 2009–10 will be released. They will show not only a very proper running of the state’s finance, but also that the levels of debt have been reduced to below what was forecast in the budget. It is very much an improved result. We will provide a full account at the end of the year. The Leader of the Opposition should wait a couple of weeks and he will see that debt figures are below what was forecast in the budget.
Yesterday during question time the Treasurer said in response to a question asked by the shadow Treasurer that he is managing the state’s finances properly and conservatively. (1) In light of yesterday’s question, can he confirm that his government is borrowing $11 million a day? (2) Can he confirm that, in the light of that $11 million a day of borrowings, by 2013 the interest bill alone will be $5.1 million a day? (3) Can he explain how borrowing $11 million a day is managing the finances of the state properly and conservatively? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) In a couple of weeks the final financial results for 2009–10 will be released. They will show not only a very proper running of the state’s finance, but also that the levels of debt have been reduced to below what was forecast in the budget. It is very much an improved result. We will provide a full account at the end of the year. The Leader of the Opposition should wait a couple of weeks and he will see that debt figures are below what was forecast in the budget.
(1) In light of yesterday’s question, can he confirm that his government is borrowing $11 million a day? (2) Can he confirm that, in the light of that $11 million a day of borrowings, by 2013 the interest bill alone will be $5.1 million a day? (3) Can he explain how borrowing $11 million a day is managing the finances of the state properly and conservatively? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) In a couple of weeks the final financial results for 2009–10 will be released. They will show not only a very proper running of the state’s finance, but also that the levels of debt have been reduced to below what was forecast in the budget. It is very much an improved result. We will provide a full account at the end of the year. The Leader of the Opposition should wait a couple of weeks and he will see that debt figures are below what was forecast in the budget.
(2) Can he confirm that, in the light of that $11 million a day of borrowings, by 2013 the interest bill alone will be $5.1 million a day? (3) Can he explain how borrowing $11 million a day is managing the finances of the state properly and conservatively? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) In a couple of weeks the final financial results for 2009–10 will be released. They will show not only a very proper running of the state’s finance, but also that the levels of debt have been reduced to below what was forecast in the budget. It is very much an improved result. We will provide a full account at the end of the year. The Leader of the Opposition should wait a couple of weeks and he will see that debt figures are below what was forecast in the budget.
(3) Can he explain how borrowing $11 million a day is managing the finances of the state properly and conservatively? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) In a couple of weeks the final financial results for 2009–10 will be released. They will show not only a very proper running of the state’s finance, but also that the levels of debt have been reduced to below what was forecast in the budget. It is very much an improved result. We will provide a full account at the end of the year. The Leader of the Opposition should wait a couple of weeks and he will see that debt figures are below what was forecast in the budget.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) In a couple of weeks the final financial results for 2009–10 will be released. They will show not only a very proper running of the state’s finance, but also that the levels of debt have been reduced to below what was forecast in the budget. It is very much an improved result. We will provide a full account at the end of the year. The Leader of the Opposition should wait a couple of weeks and he will see that debt figures are below what was forecast in the budget.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(3) In a couple of weeks the final financial results for 2009–10 will be released. They will show not only a very proper running of the state’s finance, but also that the levels of debt have been reduced to below what was forecast in the budget. It is very much an improved result. We will provide a full account at the end of the year. The Leader of the Opposition should wait a couple of weeks and he will see that debt figures are below what was forecast in the budget.
(1)–(3) In a couple of weeks the final financial results for 2009–10 will be released. They will show not only a very proper running of the state’s finance, but also that the levels of debt have been reduced to below what was forecast in the budget. It is very much an improved result. We will provide a full account at the end of the year. The Leader of the Opposition should wait a couple of weeks and he will see that debt figures are below what was forecast in the budget.

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