❓ Treasurer Ripper provides a highly positive update on WA's economic and financial performance under the Gallop Labor government, highlighting record financial results, tax cuts, public works, and low debt. He contrasts this with opposition criticisms.
AnsweredQoN 547Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Can the Treasurer update the house on the economic and financial performance of the state under the stewardship of the Gallop Labor government? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
This is a great day for Western Australia. We have recorded the strongest financial result that this state has ever achieved. This result has been achieved on the back of a strong economy, complemented by strong financial management. The government has made record tax cuts and has instituted a record public works program. It also has record low debt level as a result of the booming economy and the strong financial management implemented by the present government. Debt is now $4 billion, down from the $5.9 billion that had previously been forecast. Debt is, in fact, $193 million down from last year’s figure. We have made a record amount of tax cuts in the system, totalling $233 million annually, including payroll and conveyance duty cuts. There are $2.4 billion worth of tax cuts and family concessions in the system, as a result of decisions taken by the government in the past 18 months. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: This is a great day for Western Australia. We have recorded the strongest financial result that this state has ever achieved. This result has been achieved on the back of a strong economy, complemented by strong financial management. The government has made record tax cuts and has instituted a record public works program. It also has record low debt level as a result of the booming economy and the strong financial management implemented by the present government. Debt is now $4 billion, down from the $5.9 billion that had previously been forecast. Debt is, in fact, $193 million down from last year’s figure. We have made a record amount of tax cuts in the system, totalling $233 million annually, including payroll and conveyance duty cuts. There are $2.4 billion worth of tax cuts and family concessions in the system, as a result of decisions taken by the government in the past 18 months. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
This is a great day for Western Australia. We have recorded the strongest financial result that this state has ever achieved. This result has been achieved on the back of a strong economy, complemented by strong financial management. The government has made record tax cuts and has instituted a record public works program. It also has record low debt level as a result of the booming economy and the strong financial management implemented by the present government. Debt is now $4 billion, down from the $5.9 billion that had previously been forecast. Debt is, in fact, $193 million down from last year’s figure. We have made a record amount of tax cuts in the system, totalling $233 million annually, including payroll and conveyance duty cuts. There are $2.4 billion worth of tax cuts and family concessions in the system, as a result of decisions taken by the government in the past 18 months. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: This is a great day for Western Australia. We have recorded the strongest financial result that this state has ever achieved. This result has been achieved on the back of a strong economy, complemented by strong financial management. The government has made record tax cuts and has instituted a record public works program. It also has record low debt level as a result of the booming economy and the strong financial management implemented by the present government. Debt is now $4 billion, down from the $5.9 billion that had previously been forecast. Debt is, in fact, $193 million down from last year’s figure. We have made a record amount of tax cuts in the system, totalling $233 million annually, including payroll and conveyance duty cuts. There are $2.4 billion worth of tax cuts and family concessions in the system, as a result of decisions taken by the government in the past 18 months. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
This is a great day for Western Australia. We have recorded the strongest financial result that this state has ever achieved. This result has been achieved on the back of a strong economy, complemented by strong financial management. The government has made record tax cuts and has instituted a record public works program. It also has record low debt level as a result of the booming economy and the strong financial management implemented by the present government. Debt is now $4 billion, down from the $5.9 billion that had previously been forecast. Debt is, in fact, $193 million down from last year’s figure. We have made a record amount of tax cuts in the system, totalling $233 million annually, including payroll and conveyance duty cuts. There are $2.4 billion worth of tax cuts and family concessions in the system, as a result of decisions taken by the government in the past 18 months. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The opposition just does not like the good news, and no wonder, because this good news undermines what the Leader of the Opposition - since he is interjecting so much - was reported in The West Australian on 2 June 2005 as saying - They have blown State debt out to WA Inc levels. The government has the lowest debt on record. In the past 12 months we have paid off $1 billion worth of debt, and freed up $70 million that would otherwise have gone on interest payments to pay for key services. Again, the government has used the surplus to pay off debt. With the additional financial capacity it has now realised, the government is making a historic investment in the community’s most important service - health. We are making an $890 million additional investment in new hospitals and health facilities, taking the total of our investment program in the hospital system to $3.6 billion. That is an amazing position for this state to be in, and is courtesy of the booming economy under this government, complemented by strong financial management. All we get in response from opposition members is stupid interjections. They hate the good news. They do not like it when Western Australia is going well. Opposition members must be the only Western Australians who do not want this state to prosper, do not want the government to have a budget surplus and do not want the government to be in a position to make this historic investment in our health system.
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