❓ Mr. Barnett questions the Premier about alleged tax increases contradicting pre-election promises. The Premier refutes the figures, citing past tax increases under the previous government and emphasizing the need for revenue to fund essential services.
AnsweredQoN 1015Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I remind the Premier of his promise to the people of Western Australia prior to the election that Labor would not increase taxes and charges. (1) Will the Premier admit that Labor’s first budget increases in taxes and charges cost the average Western Australian household an additional $360 a year and that in Labor’s second budget there is a similar tax grab on households that is the equivalent of a further $360 a year? (2) Was the Premier telling the truth to the people of Western Australia prior to the election? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I certainly will not confirm anything that the Leader of the Opposition said about statistics, but will do an independent analysis. I will look at those figures and see how they measure up. When talking about figures, it is interesting to look at the recent history of taxes and charges in Western Australia. In 1993-94, they were increased by $528 million; in 1994-95 by $300 million; in 1997-98 by $295 million; in 1998-99 by $893 million; and in 1999-2000 by $107 million. I made a very clear set of promises to the people of Western Australia. I said we would be open and accountable on the important financial issues that we face. It was very clear on the basis of the revenue that the Government will receive this year that without any increased revenue measures in this year’s budget, total revenue would increase by only 0.8 per cent. Western Australian people are pretty smart. They know that the State’s health system has to be supported. If the State is to prosper in the twenty-first century, the Government must spend money on education and science to make sure that it can meet the challenges that the century will present. We also need to make sure that our capital works program is intact. On the basis of there being only a 0.8 per cent increase in revenue, it was not possible for the Government to prepare this budget without including the need for some increase in taxes. I believe that the Western Australian people understand that. Western Australian people know that these things must be done if we are to build the State. The demands on the resources of the State are immense. The State’s taxation capacity is very limited, particularly when it is put into the context of what the eastern States and Canberra do to the State every year. Do we get support from the Leader of the Opposition when we take up that issue with Canberra? The Leader of the Opposition does not understand. It is one thing to oppose the Government of the day; it is another thing to oppose Western Australia. Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
(1) Will the Premier admit that Labor’s first budget increases in taxes and charges cost the average Western Australian household an additional $360 a year and that in Labor’s second budget there is a similar tax grab on households that is the equivalent of a further $360 a year? (2) Was the Premier telling the truth to the people of Western Australia prior to the election? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I certainly will not confirm anything that the Leader of the Opposition said about statistics, but will do an independent analysis. I will look at those figures and see how they measure up. When talking about figures, it is interesting to look at the recent history of taxes and charges in Western Australia. In 1993-94, they were increased by $528 million; in 1994-95 by $300 million; in 1997-98 by $295 million; in 1998-99 by $893 million; and in 1999-2000 by $107 million. I made a very clear set of promises to the people of Western Australia. I said we would be open and accountable on the important financial issues that we face. It was very clear on the basis of the revenue that the Government will receive this year that without any increased revenue measures in this year’s budget, total revenue would increase by only 0.8 per cent. Western Australian people are pretty smart. They know that the State’s health system has to be supported. If the State is to prosper in the twenty-first century, the Government must spend money on education and science to make sure that it can meet the challenges that the century will present. We also need to make sure that our capital works program is intact. On the basis of there being only a 0.8 per cent increase in revenue, it was not possible for the Government to prepare this budget without including the need for some increase in taxes. I believe that the Western Australian people understand that. Western Australian people know that these things must be done if we are to build the State. The demands on the resources of the State are immense. The State’s taxation capacity is very limited, particularly when it is put into the context of what the eastern States and Canberra do to the State every year. Do we get support from the Leader of the Opposition when we take up that issue with Canberra? The Leader of the Opposition does not understand. It is one thing to oppose the Government of the day; it is another thing to oppose Western Australia. Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
(2) Was the Premier telling the truth to the people of Western Australia prior to the election? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I certainly will not confirm anything that the Leader of the Opposition said about statistics, but will do an independent analysis. I will look at those figures and see how they measure up. When talking about figures, it is interesting to look at the recent history of taxes and charges in Western Australia. In 1993-94, they were increased by $528 million; in 1994-95 by $300 million; in 1997-98 by $295 million; in 1998-99 by $893 million; and in 1999-2000 by $107 million. I made a very clear set of promises to the people of Western Australia. I said we would be open and accountable on the important financial issues that we face. It was very clear on the basis of the revenue that the Government will receive this year that without any increased revenue measures in this year’s budget, total revenue would increase by only 0.8 per cent. Western Australian people are pretty smart. They know that the State’s health system has to be supported. If the State is to prosper in the twenty-first century, the Government must spend money on education and science to make sure that it can meet the challenges that the century will present. We also need to make sure that our capital works program is intact. On the basis of there being only a 0.8 per cent increase in revenue, it was not possible for the Government to prepare this budget without including the need for some increase in taxes. I believe that the Western Australian people understand that. Western Australian people know that these things must be done if we are to build the State. The demands on the resources of the State are immense. The State’s taxation capacity is very limited, particularly when it is put into the context of what the eastern States and Canberra do to the State every year. Do we get support from the Leader of the Opposition when we take up that issue with Canberra? The Leader of the Opposition does not understand. It is one thing to oppose the Government of the day; it is another thing to oppose Western Australia. Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I certainly will not confirm anything that the Leader of the Opposition said about statistics, but will do an independent analysis. I will look at those figures and see how they measure up. When talking about figures, it is interesting to look at the recent history of taxes and charges in Western Australia. In 1993-94, they were increased by $528 million; in 1994-95 by $300 million; in 1997-98 by $295 million; in 1998-99 by $893 million; and in 1999-2000 by $107 million. I made a very clear set of promises to the people of Western Australia. I said we would be open and accountable on the important financial issues that we face. It was very clear on the basis of the revenue that the Government will receive this year that without any increased revenue measures in this year’s budget, total revenue would increase by only 0.8 per cent. Western Australian people are pretty smart. They know that the State’s health system has to be supported. If the State is to prosper in the twenty-first century, the Government must spend money on education and science to make sure that it can meet the challenges that the century will present. We also need to make sure that our capital works program is intact. On the basis of there being only a 0.8 per cent increase in revenue, it was not possible for the Government to prepare this budget without including the need for some increase in taxes. I believe that the Western Australian people understand that. Western Australian people know that these things must be done if we are to build the State. The demands on the resources of the State are immense. The State’s taxation capacity is very limited, particularly when it is put into the context of what the eastern States and Canberra do to the State every year. Do we get support from the Leader of the Opposition when we take up that issue with Canberra? The Leader of the Opposition does not understand. It is one thing to oppose the Government of the day; it is another thing to oppose Western Australia. Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
(1)-(2) I certainly will not confirm anything that the Leader of the Opposition said about statistics, but will do an independent analysis. I will look at those figures and see how they measure up. When talking about figures, it is interesting to look at the recent history of taxes and charges in Western Australia. In 1993-94, they were increased by $528 million; in 1994-95 by $300 million; in 1997-98 by $295 million; in 1998-99 by $893 million; and in 1999-2000 by $107 million. I made a very clear set of promises to the people of Western Australia. I said we would be open and accountable on the important financial issues that we face. It was very clear on the basis of the revenue that the Government will receive this year that without any increased revenue measures in this year’s budget, total revenue would increase by only 0.8 per cent. Western Australian people are pretty smart. They know that the State’s health system has to be supported. If the State is to prosper in the twenty-first century, the Government must spend money on education and science to make sure that it can meet the challenges that the century will present. We also need to make sure that our capital works program is intact. On the basis of there being only a 0.8 per cent increase in revenue, it was not possible for the Government to prepare this budget without including the need for some increase in taxes. I believe that the Western Australian people understand that. Western Australian people know that these things must be done if we are to build the State. The demands on the resources of the State are immense. The State’s taxation capacity is very limited, particularly when it is put into the context of what the eastern States and Canberra do to the State every year. Do we get support from the Leader of the Opposition when we take up that issue with Canberra? The Leader of the Opposition does not understand. It is one thing to oppose the Government of the day; it is another thing to oppose Western Australia. Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
(1) Will the Premier admit that Labor’s first budget increases in taxes and charges cost the average Western Australian household an additional $360 a year and that in Labor’s second budget there is a similar tax grab on households that is the equivalent of a further $360 a year? (2) Was the Premier telling the truth to the people of Western Australia prior to the election? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I certainly will not confirm anything that the Leader of the Opposition said about statistics, but will do an independent analysis. I will look at those figures and see how they measure up. When talking about figures, it is interesting to look at the recent history of taxes and charges in Western Australia. In 1993-94, they were increased by $528 million; in 1994-95 by $300 million; in 1997-98 by $295 million; in 1998-99 by $893 million; and in 1999-2000 by $107 million. I made a very clear set of promises to the people of Western Australia. I said we would be open and accountable on the important financial issues that we face. It was very clear on the basis of the revenue that the Government will receive this year that without any increased revenue measures in this year’s budget, total revenue would increase by only 0.8 per cent. Western Australian people are pretty smart. They know that the State’s health system has to be supported. If the State is to prosper in the twenty-first century, the Government must spend money on education and science to make sure that it can meet the challenges that the century will present. We also need to make sure that our capital works program is intact. On the basis of there being only a 0.8 per cent increase in revenue, it was not possible for the Government to prepare this budget without including the need for some increase in taxes. I believe that the Western Australian people understand that. Western Australian people know that these things must be done if we are to build the State. The demands on the resources of the State are immense. The State’s taxation capacity is very limited, particularly when it is put into the context of what the eastern States and Canberra do to the State every year. Do we get support from the Leader of the Opposition when we take up that issue with Canberra? The Leader of the Opposition does not understand. It is one thing to oppose the Government of the day; it is another thing to oppose Western Australia. Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
(2) Was the Premier telling the truth to the people of Western Australia prior to the election? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I certainly will not confirm anything that the Leader of the Opposition said about statistics, but will do an independent analysis. I will look at those figures and see how they measure up. When talking about figures, it is interesting to look at the recent history of taxes and charges in Western Australia. In 1993-94, they were increased by $528 million; in 1994-95 by $300 million; in 1997-98 by $295 million; in 1998-99 by $893 million; and in 1999-2000 by $107 million. I made a very clear set of promises to the people of Western Australia. I said we would be open and accountable on the important financial issues that we face. It was very clear on the basis of the revenue that the Government will receive this year that without any increased revenue measures in this year’s budget, total revenue would increase by only 0.8 per cent. Western Australian people are pretty smart. They know that the State’s health system has to be supported. If the State is to prosper in the twenty-first century, the Government must spend money on education and science to make sure that it can meet the challenges that the century will present. We also need to make sure that our capital works program is intact. On the basis of there being only a 0.8 per cent increase in revenue, it was not possible for the Government to prepare this budget without including the need for some increase in taxes. I believe that the Western Australian people understand that. Western Australian people know that these things must be done if we are to build the State. The demands on the resources of the State are immense. The State’s taxation capacity is very limited, particularly when it is put into the context of what the eastern States and Canberra do to the State every year. Do we get support from the Leader of the Opposition when we take up that issue with Canberra? The Leader of the Opposition does not understand. It is one thing to oppose the Government of the day; it is another thing to oppose Western Australia. Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I certainly will not confirm anything that the Leader of the Opposition said about statistics, but will do an independent analysis. I will look at those figures and see how they measure up. When talking about figures, it is interesting to look at the recent history of taxes and charges in Western Australia. In 1993-94, they were increased by $528 million; in 1994-95 by $300 million; in 1997-98 by $295 million; in 1998-99 by $893 million; and in 1999-2000 by $107 million. I made a very clear set of promises to the people of Western Australia. I said we would be open and accountable on the important financial issues that we face. It was very clear on the basis of the revenue that the Government will receive this year that without any increased revenue measures in this year’s budget, total revenue would increase by only 0.8 per cent. Western Australian people are pretty smart. They know that the State’s health system has to be supported. If the State is to prosper in the twenty-first century, the Government must spend money on education and science to make sure that it can meet the challenges that the century will present. We also need to make sure that our capital works program is intact. On the basis of there being only a 0.8 per cent increase in revenue, it was not possible for the Government to prepare this budget without including the need for some increase in taxes. I believe that the Western Australian people understand that. Western Australian people know that these things must be done if we are to build the State. The demands on the resources of the State are immense. The State’s taxation capacity is very limited, particularly when it is put into the context of what the eastern States and Canberra do to the State every year. Do we get support from the Leader of the Opposition when we take up that issue with Canberra? The Leader of the Opposition does not understand. It is one thing to oppose the Government of the day; it is another thing to oppose Western Australia. Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
(1)-(2) I certainly will not confirm anything that the Leader of the Opposition said about statistics, but will do an independent analysis. I will look at those figures and see how they measure up. When talking about figures, it is interesting to look at the recent history of taxes and charges in Western Australia. In 1993-94, they were increased by $528 million; in 1994-95 by $300 million; in 1997-98 by $295 million; in 1998-99 by $893 million; and in 1999-2000 by $107 million. I made a very clear set of promises to the people of Western Australia. I said we would be open and accountable on the important financial issues that we face. It was very clear on the basis of the revenue that the Government will receive this year that without any increased revenue measures in this year’s budget, total revenue would increase by only 0.8 per cent. Western Australian people are pretty smart. They know that the State’s health system has to be supported. If the State is to prosper in the twenty-first century, the Government must spend money on education and science to make sure that it can meet the challenges that the century will present. We also need to make sure that our capital works program is intact. On the basis of there being only a 0.8 per cent increase in revenue, it was not possible for the Government to prepare this budget without including the need for some increase in taxes. I believe that the Western Australian people understand that. Western Australian people know that these things must be done if we are to build the State. The demands on the resources of the State are immense. The State’s taxation capacity is very limited, particularly when it is put into the context of what the eastern States and Canberra do to the State every year. Do we get support from the Leader of the Opposition when we take up that issue with Canberra? The Leader of the Opposition does not understand. It is one thing to oppose the Government of the day; it is another thing to oppose Western Australia. Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Mr Barnett: Why don’t you tell the truth? Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Dr GALLOP: I think we tell the truth to the people. The truth that we tell to the people is quite clear: we have financial objectives and priorities. If we need to do things as a result of that, we are open and accountable to the people. We are very confident. Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Mr Barnett: You are breaking lies - breaking promises about being open and accountable. Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
Dr GALLOP: I think there was a little slip of the tongue there from the Leader of the Opposition. We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
We are very confident that our openness and transparency on this issue will stand us in good stead when we go to the next election. This Government wants to be able to go to Canberra and the eastern States with the Parliament united behind it to make it clear that the royalty income that is distributed from this State should stay in Western Australia. This Government has an eye for the future. This State had eight years of a Government that had no eye for the future and no proper financial planning, and that produced five deficits in eight budgets. That has been transformed under this Government. I do not trust any of the figures presented to this Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition. As the Minister for Education has pointed out, the education budget figures that were produced by the Leader of the Opposition each year never corresponded with the end-of-year figures. Therefore, I do not trust any of his figures and will check them. As for our revenue commitment to the people, I am very confident that our openness and transparency with the people will hold us in good stead at the next election.
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