❓ Question regarding the WA government's initiatives to address climate change, answered by the Premier outlining existing and new strategies, including investment in rail, renewable energy, and climate research. The response also addresses interjections and criticisms from the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 118Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CLIMATE CHANGE - GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE
Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! The member for Kingsley has the call. Mrs J. HUGHES : Can the Premier please advise the house of the state government’s latest initiative to help address climate change? Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER
Mr Speaker - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! The member for Kingsley has the call. Mrs J. HUGHES : Can the Premier please advise the house of the state government’s latest initiative to help address climate change? Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! The member for Kingsley has the call. Mrs J. HUGHES : Can the Premier please advise the house of the state government’s latest initiative to help address climate change? Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
The SPEAKER : Order! The member for Kingsley has the call. Mrs J. HUGHES : Can the Premier please advise the house of the state government’s latest initiative to help address climate change? Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mrs J. HUGHES : Can the Premier please advise the house of the state government’s latest initiative to help address climate change? Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! The member for Kingsley has the call. Mrs J. HUGHES : Can the Premier please advise the house of the state government’s latest initiative to help address climate change? Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
The SPEAKER : Order! The member for Kingsley has the call. Mrs J. HUGHES : Can the Premier please advise the house of the state government’s latest initiative to help address climate change? Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mrs J. HUGHES : Can the Premier please advise the house of the state government’s latest initiative to help address climate change? Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Nuclear power. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
That would make a story. I wonder why members opposite are in opposition. I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
I thank the member for the question and for her interest in this matter because climate change is a big issue in her electorate. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : It is. Today was a good day. We recently experienced the effects of climate change in Western Australia first-hand - everybody knows it. From the north to the south of the state - I will not say from the top to the bottom because that might give the impression that water flows easily from the north to the south, and we know that it does not necessarily do so - this state has been experiencing the effects of climate change. We have noticed it particularly here in the south west. We have to be able to improve our capacity to predict change and plan for the future. We have already implemented many initiatives designed to address the issue of climate change, such as reducing the need for cars by doubling the size of the Perth rail network through building the new southern rail line. It is a very good initiative. Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr T. Buswell : How many cars is that going to take off the roads? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I see we are still being criticised for it by the visionaries from the other side. We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
We are also doing that by investing in renewable energy - wind, solar, biodiesel - by committing to a national emissions strategy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and the member for Vasse. When members ask a question, they have a limited capacity to interject. If the member thinks it is a great question, he should have asked it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps I should have forewarned the young people in the gallery about what to expect when they come to question time. Please do not be alarmed! Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr R.F. Johnson : They actually expect answers. They never get them. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I believe in discipline. Just think of it as the best live theatre in town. It is unscripted. We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
We are committed to a national emissions trading scheme by 2010. Much more needs to be done; we all recognise that - well, some of us do. As part of the state government’s greenhouse and state water strategies, earlier today I announced an $8.6 million funding boost over five years to research climate change and its link to extreme weather events across our state. I will be in Canberra this week to attend Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit, convened by federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd; I congratulate him for it. The new state funding will go towards research to extend our knowledge of current and future climate patterns around WA; identifying those regions in the state that are most vulnerable to climate change, and using research to help those regions, industry and government in adapting to the impacts of climate change. The research to be undertaken will provide greater knowledge and understanding about future climate change to ensure effective planning for water supply - Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Isn’t there already an Indian Ocean climate change group? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Yes. It started in 1998. Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr P.D. Omodei : Why start another one? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Because the funding has come to an end; otherwise, there would be no funding left. We are extending the funding and increasing it to allow the research to branch into other areas. It is a very important initiative and I thank the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO for the work they are doing. Stage 3 expands earlier strategic research on the south west and will include new research on the north west. As I said, the initiative was begun in 1998 and it has provided very valuable information. Part of that information allowed us, for example, to make a positive decision about the establishment of the desalination plant, which is now heralded as visionary. Other cities around Australia are wishing that they had been able to do it as well. It was a very good decision by my predecessor, Hon Geoffrey Gallop. We will be rolling out a range of initiatives this year and next year to address the impact of climate change and today was one of them.
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