❓ A parliamentary question regarding the potential establishment of a new Nullarbor shire to better serve remote communities. The Minister acknowledges the issues raised and expresses interest in exploring solutions, but stops short of committing to creating a new shire.
AnsweredQoN 1318Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
It was stated in the Kalgoorlie Miner of 2 August 2003 that Councillor Doug Daws had taken up the question of establishing a new Nullarbor shire to service the presently neglected people of the Nullarbor. Councillor Daws was reported as saying that the Minister for Local Government and Goldfields-Esperance was considering the idea. (1) In light of the foregoing, will the minister advise the House whether he believes that the idea has merit? (2) Is the minister considering the proposition of establishing a Nullarbor shire? (3) If so, what in the minister’s view should be done to further this idea? Hon Simon O’Brien interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
(1) In light of the foregoing, will the minister advise the House whether he believes that the idea has merit? (2) Is the minister considering the proposition of establishing a Nullarbor shire? (3) If so, what in the minister’s view should be done to further this idea? Hon Simon O’Brien interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
(2) Is the minister considering the proposition of establishing a Nullarbor shire? (3) If so, what in the minister’s view should be done to further this idea? Hon Simon O’Brien interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
(3) If so, what in the minister’s view should be done to further this idea? Hon Simon O’Brien interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon Simon O’Brien interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
(1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
(1) In light of the foregoing, will the minister advise the House whether he believes that the idea has merit? (2) Is the minister considering the proposition of establishing a Nullarbor shire? (3) If so, what in the minister’s view should be done to further this idea? Hon Simon O’Brien interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
(2) Is the minister considering the proposition of establishing a Nullarbor shire? (3) If so, what in the minister’s view should be done to further this idea? Hon Simon O’Brien interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
(3) If so, what in the minister’s view should be done to further this idea? Hon Simon O’Brien interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon Simon O’Brien interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
I did not hear the interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will not invite interjections he did not hear in answer to the question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I did hear the interjection but I do not think I heard it clearly. Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon Kim Chance: I think he was talking about the Nullarbor branch of the Liberal Party. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Malcolm Turnbull has got to have first call. (1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
(1)-(3) I did not spot the article in the Kalgoorlie Miner and was not aware of it until I heard the question. I still do not have a copy of the Kalgoorlie Miner of that date to refer to the article. Certainly Councillor Doug Daws put to me at a council meeting in Kalgoorlie his suggestion that the needs of the eastern goldfields, or effectively the Nullarbor communities, could be adequately addressed only by positioning a local government authority in that area. This was in response to some discussions we were having with the new Kalgoorlie mayor and the councillors, specifically with regard to the fact that Menzies councillors had indicated that they were keen to find a new home for the Tjun Tjun Jarra community and they felt that they could not adequately service that which currently fell within their shire boundaries. The Menzies Shire Council was of the view that a change of boundary would be appropriate to position that significant community within a council that could better service its needs. That issue is subject to discussions about how to respond. I have detected within local government increasing ambitions to try to adequately meet the needs of the many Aboriginal communities in their areas. These communities are difficult to serve within the existing resources of these mining and pastoral areas. I also sense that the needs of other Nullarbor communities must be accommodated, including, of course, the pastoral properties and small population centres along the Nullarbor and on the border itself. There are questions of how those would be considered in this issue. Some of these communities have no current connection with and are not within the area of the Shire of Menzies or the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In the case of the communities along the highway, they fall within the boundary of the Dundas Shire Council. Councillor Daws has raised some good issues. I am interested in any proposal that would ensure that the needs of and services to remote Western Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, could be better provided. Hon Peter Foss: Is one vote, one value doing that? That will help them. Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: That was a very interesting interjection. The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
The PRESIDENT: Order! We thank the minister for his response. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will quickly finish my answer. The issue needs to be looked at. Councillor Daws’ views are interesting. He is very experienced in that area. One would be a mug not to take some notice of what he has to say. In those circumstances, we should look at the possibilities. I must say that it did not occur to me that we would run around and create more councils than the 142 that are currently in place. Who knows? Perhaps some are needed for some of those locations.
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