❓ Dr. Hames questions the Premier about delays to the Albany Regional Hospital upgrade, a 2005 election promise. The Premier acknowledges delays but deflects by criticizing the previous government's record and highlighting the current government's overall economic performance.
AnsweredQoN 620Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ALBANY REGIONAL HOSPITAL UPGRADE
I refer to the Labor Party’s 2005 election commitment to “fast track” a $26 million upgrade on Albany Regional Hospital. (1) What sort of “fast track” is it when nothing has been done towards the upgrade? (2) Is that an acceptable situation for a large regional centre such as Albany, which has a well-documented baby boom and a growing number of mental health patients? (3) How does the Premier justify this delay in light of his comments in the media that the sooner the upgrade is completed, the better? (4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to the Labor Party’s 2005 election commitment to “fast track” a $26 million upgrade on Albany Regional Hospital. (1) What sort of “fast track” is it when nothing has been done towards the upgrade? (2) Is that an acceptable situation for a large regional centre such as Albany, which has a well-documented baby boom and a growing number of mental health patients? (3) How does the Premier justify this delay in light of his comments in the media that the sooner the upgrade is completed, the better? (4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(1) What sort of “fast track” is it when nothing has been done towards the upgrade? (2) Is that an acceptable situation for a large regional centre such as Albany, which has a well-documented baby boom and a growing number of mental health patients? (3) How does the Premier justify this delay in light of his comments in the media that the sooner the upgrade is completed, the better? (4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(2) Is that an acceptable situation for a large regional centre such as Albany, which has a well-documented baby boom and a growing number of mental health patients? (3) How does the Premier justify this delay in light of his comments in the media that the sooner the upgrade is completed, the better? (4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(3) How does the Premier justify this delay in light of his comments in the media that the sooner the upgrade is completed, the better? (4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(1) What sort of “fast track” is it when nothing has been done towards the upgrade? (2) Is that an acceptable situation for a large regional centre such as Albany, which has a well-documented baby boom and a growing number of mental health patients? (3) How does the Premier justify this delay in light of his comments in the media that the sooner the upgrade is completed, the better? (4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(2) Is that an acceptable situation for a large regional centre such as Albany, which has a well-documented baby boom and a growing number of mental health patients? (3) How does the Premier justify this delay in light of his comments in the media that the sooner the upgrade is completed, the better? (4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(3) How does the Premier justify this delay in light of his comments in the media that the sooner the upgrade is completed, the better? (4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(4) Will the Premier confirm that this project is one more victim of his government’s gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
(1)-(4) Yes, it would have been preferable if we had achieved earlier progress on the redevelopment of Albany Regional Hospital. I have previously made that view clear. We want to ensure that that work is undertaken as quickly as possible and that the preliminary work is carried out as soon as possible. I am glad that the member for Dawesville has given me an opportunity to talk about Albany, a city that was completely neglected during the entire time that the coalition was in government; hence the decision by the people of Albany to throw out the former member for Albany and senior government minister, Kevin Prince, and return the seat to Labor for the first time in 27 years; hence the decision by the people of Albany, because of the Labor government’s improved support for and increased focus on Albany, to support the re-election of the now member for Albany, Peter Watson, during the last election in 2005, the one to which the member for Dawesville referred; and, hence the overwhelming support that we experience whenever we go to Albany because of what is happening in that locality. Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr P.D. Omodei : We get the same reception, by the way. The people in Albany are very nice people. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : They are extremely polite and good people. Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Our intention is to deliver the hospital redevelopment as we said we would. Yes, I am disappointed - I have said that before - that the redevelopment has taken so long. Did the member for Dawesville say something about mismanaging the capital works program? Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Dr K.D. Hames : I think I did. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I thank the member for yet another free kick! The member referred to gross mismanagement of the state’s capital works program. How big is the state’s capital works program now? I am asking the member for Dawesville because he asked the question. How does it compare with the puny effort that the member for Dawesville was in part responsible for during his failed time as a minister? The member for Dawesville has sat in this chamber and said that he failed when he was a minister. Did the member for Dawesville not say that? The member for Dawesville sat in Parliament and told us all - Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Dr K.D. Hames : At least I am prepared to stand up here and say it, unlike yourself. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We are not failing, which is why the Labor Party was re-elected at the last election. The member for Dawesville has sat in this Parliament and confessed that he considers himself a failed minister. I agree with the member for Dawesville. Some of the interjections that we have heard today have come from opposition members who were ministers in the coalition government. They clearly had no idea about the detail of the portfolios over which they presided. They had no idea whatsoever. Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr P.D. Omodei : Are all your ministers perfect? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, that is not the case. We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order. I remind the member for Roe that I have called him to order three times. If he keeps talking and interjecting, he will have to leave the chamber. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have major challenges in front of us in Western Australia because our economy is growing at a record pace. It is growing at world’s best pace; indeed, it is as good as the pace that we see in the tiger economies to the north. The Western Australian economy is growing and that places difficulties and challenges in front of us. But they are good challenges to have. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Shall we run out the figures on business growth and investment growth in the past five years? Is there anything else that we can embarrass the opposition with? Unfortunately - and I think most conservative supporters in Western Australia acknowledge this fact - we have seen not a new generation of people filling the conservative benches in the state Parliament and giving conservative supporters some optimism for the future, but a group of dunderheads with no idea about how to manage the state as we go forward. They have no vision whatsoever; they have no capacity to set a direction for the state, yet they present themselves as an alternative government. Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr T. Buswell : So, what is your capital works budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We have a massive capital works program; a record four-year capital works program totalling about $21 billion. The government is having difficulty delivering on its capital works program because of the huge pressures on the state’s economy. However, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to present a case that says the Western Australian economy is powering the national economy and that without it, the entire nation’s economic data would look completely different. Western Australia delivers all that, not because of federal government support, but in spite of a lack of federal government support! The question before Western Australians over the next four or five weeks is: do they want to see a continuation of the complete lack of federal government support for the Western Australian economy, or do they want to see a change in the federal government - a change to Kevin Rudd - and some support for economic growth and economic strength here in the west?
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