❓ Mrs Harvey questions the Premier about the Water Corporation's large dividend payments to Treasury, given concerns about water and electricity affordability. The Premier deflects, highlighting the estimates originated from the previous government.
AnsweredQoN 580Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WATER CORPORATION — DIVIDENDS
580. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the
Premier:
I refer to the
massive $4 billion that the Water Corporation will deliver to Treasury through
tax and dividends over the forward estimates. Why is the government using the
Water Corporation as a cash cow when so many Western Australians are struggling
to pay their water and electricity bills?
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Treasurer! Premier, the reason you did not hear it was that some of
your members were interjecting. Member for Scarborough.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : I refer to the massive $4 billion that the Water Corporation
will deliver to Treasury through tax and dividends over the forward estimates.
Why is the government using the Water Corporation as a cash cow when so many Western
Australians are struggling to pay their water and electricity bills?
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Minister for Water, I call you to order for the second time.
580. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the
Premier:
I refer to the
massive $4 billion that the Water Corporation will deliver to Treasury through
tax and dividends over the forward estimates. Why is the government using the
Water Corporation as a cash cow when so many Western Australians are struggling
to pay their water and electricity bills?
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Treasurer! Premier, the reason you did not hear it was that some of
your members were interjecting. Member for Scarborough.
Mrs
L.M. HARVEY : I refer to the massive $4 billion that the Water Corporation
will deliver to Treasury through tax and dividends over the forward estimates.
Why is the government using the Water Corporation as a cash cow when so many Western
Australians are struggling to pay their water and electricity bills?
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Minister for Water, I call you to order for the second time.
AnswerView source ↗
The member seems to roam far and
wide, but she does not actually ask a question of the person she shadows.
Members opposite all seem to be frightened of my ministers, but not frightened
of me!
Dr
M.D. Nahan : That was your best observation to date!
Mr
M. McGOWAN : That is true! To be fair, I am very easy to get along with and
I have a very benign personality, whereas those around me are fearsome, so I understand
that!
The question could have been better
directed to the Treasurer and/or the Minister for Water, but I note that the
Minister for Water helpfully interjected that the forward estimates are largely
based upon the forward estimates that we inherited. If they are the same
forward estimates that we inherited —
Mr
D.C. Nalder : So you're not responsible for the budget?
Mr
M. McGOWAN : Hold on. If they are the same forward estimates that were in
the previous government's budget figures, what are members opposite
complaining about? Are they attacking the former Minister for Water? Are they
attacking the former Treasurer? The former Treasurer handed down the budget
that had the same forward estimates that the member for Scarborough is
attacking. The question asked earlier by the very well dressed young tyro down
the back, in which he attacked linesmen working for Western Power, was based
upon an enterprise bargaining agreement entered into by the former government.
We have a plethora of issues out there at the moment and the opposition is
asking me about its own forward estimates! The opposition needs some coaching—it
really does—in how to ask questions and how to ask about something that
is actually relevant and topical.
wide, but she does not actually ask a question of the person she shadows.
Members opposite all seem to be frightened of my ministers, but not frightened
of me!
Dr
M.D. Nahan : That was your best observation to date!
Mr
M. McGOWAN : That is true! To be fair, I am very easy to get along with and
I have a very benign personality, whereas those around me are fearsome, so I understand
that!
The question could have been better
directed to the Treasurer and/or the Minister for Water, but I note that the
Minister for Water helpfully interjected that the forward estimates are largely
based upon the forward estimates that we inherited. If they are the same
forward estimates that we inherited —
Mr
D.C. Nalder : So you're not responsible for the budget?
Mr
M. McGOWAN : Hold on. If they are the same forward estimates that were in
the previous government's budget figures, what are members opposite
complaining about? Are they attacking the former Minister for Water? Are they
attacking the former Treasurer? The former Treasurer handed down the budget
that had the same forward estimates that the member for Scarborough is
attacking. The question asked earlier by the very well dressed young tyro down
the back, in which he attacked linesmen working for Western Power, was based
upon an enterprise bargaining agreement entered into by the former government.
We have a plethora of issues out there at the moment and the opposition is
asking me about its own forward estimates! The opposition needs some coaching—it
really does—in how to ask questions and how to ask about something that
is actually relevant and topical.
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