❓ Hon. N.F. Moore questions why the Premier didn't meet with Mr. Toomey of Ansett Australia regarding the airline's situation. Hon. Tom Stephens responds, explaining he offered to meet with Ansett representatives instead, and received assurances about the airline's stability.
AnsweredQoN 628Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ANSETT AUSTRALIA COLLAPSE, SUGGESTED MEETING BETWEEN PREMIER AND MR TOOMEY
I refer this matter to the minister in his capacity as the acting Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. I have received a copy of a letter today, by virtue of another question I asked, from the Department for Planning and Infrastructure about Ansett Australia and Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd. The letter was sent on 6 September and received on 5 September - that is a brilliant mail system! Normally, I would not expect the acting minister to know about this, but as it also affects the north west he may be aware of the circumstances and therefore be able to provide an answer. The letter reads - It is understood that Mr Twomey sought a meeting with the Premier in early August to advise the Premier of the situation and possible ramifications to WA, but was unable to meet him. (1) Is the minister aware of the reasons the Premier did not meet with Mr Toomey? (2) If so, can he provide the House with that information? Hon TOM STEPHENS
I refer this matter to the minister in his capacity as the acting Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. I have received a copy of a letter today, by virtue of another question I asked, from the Department for Planning and Infrastructure about Ansett Australia and Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd. The letter was sent on 6 September and received on 5 September - that is a brilliant mail system! Normally, I would not expect the acting minister to know about this, but as it also affects the north west he may be aware of the circumstances and therefore be able to provide an answer. The letter reads - It is understood that Mr Twomey sought a meeting with the Premier in early August to advise the Premier of the situation and possible ramifications to WA, but was unable to meet him. (1) Is the minister aware of the reasons the Premier did not meet with Mr Toomey? (2) If so, can he provide the House with that information? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) These matters are probably matters for the Premier. However, in my capacity as Minister for Regional Development I became aware that Ansett Australia’s senior officers had sought a meeting with the Premier in a time frame that did not suit the Premier. As the Minister for Regional Development, I immediately rang the state manager of Ansett, Mr Chris Barnes, and advised him that in view of the Premier’s unavailability, I would make myself immediately available to meet with Mr Toomey, if that was considered necessary. Mr Barnes chose to brief the Western Australian Government through me as minister by telephone conversation. He wanted to assure the Western Australian Government that the media reports suggesting the imminent demise of Ansett were grossly exaggerated and that there was no justification for the suggestion that Ansett was about to fall over. Hon N.F. Moore: When was this? Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
(2) If so, can he provide the House with that information? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) These matters are probably matters for the Premier. However, in my capacity as Minister for Regional Development I became aware that Ansett Australia’s senior officers had sought a meeting with the Premier in a time frame that did not suit the Premier. As the Minister for Regional Development, I immediately rang the state manager of Ansett, Mr Chris Barnes, and advised him that in view of the Premier’s unavailability, I would make myself immediately available to meet with Mr Toomey, if that was considered necessary. Mr Barnes chose to brief the Western Australian Government through me as minister by telephone conversation. He wanted to assure the Western Australian Government that the media reports suggesting the imminent demise of Ansett were grossly exaggerated and that there was no justification for the suggestion that Ansett was about to fall over. Hon N.F. Moore: When was this? Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) These matters are probably matters for the Premier. However, in my capacity as Minister for Regional Development I became aware that Ansett Australia’s senior officers had sought a meeting with the Premier in a time frame that did not suit the Premier. As the Minister for Regional Development, I immediately rang the state manager of Ansett, Mr Chris Barnes, and advised him that in view of the Premier’s unavailability, I would make myself immediately available to meet with Mr Toomey, if that was considered necessary. Mr Barnes chose to brief the Western Australian Government through me as minister by telephone conversation. He wanted to assure the Western Australian Government that the media reports suggesting the imminent demise of Ansett were grossly exaggerated and that there was no justification for the suggestion that Ansett was about to fall over. Hon N.F. Moore: When was this? Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
(1)-(2) These matters are probably matters for the Premier. However, in my capacity as Minister for Regional Development I became aware that Ansett Australia’s senior officers had sought a meeting with the Premier in a time frame that did not suit the Premier. As the Minister for Regional Development, I immediately rang the state manager of Ansett, Mr Chris Barnes, and advised him that in view of the Premier’s unavailability, I would make myself immediately available to meet with Mr Toomey, if that was considered necessary. Mr Barnes chose to brief the Western Australian Government through me as minister by telephone conversation. He wanted to assure the Western Australian Government that the media reports suggesting the imminent demise of Ansett were grossly exaggerated and that there was no justification for the suggestion that Ansett was about to fall over. Hon N.F. Moore: When was this? Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon N.F. Moore: When was this? Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
(2) If so, can he provide the House with that information? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) These matters are probably matters for the Premier. However, in my capacity as Minister for Regional Development I became aware that Ansett Australia’s senior officers had sought a meeting with the Premier in a time frame that did not suit the Premier. As the Minister for Regional Development, I immediately rang the state manager of Ansett, Mr Chris Barnes, and advised him that in view of the Premier’s unavailability, I would make myself immediately available to meet with Mr Toomey, if that was considered necessary. Mr Barnes chose to brief the Western Australian Government through me as minister by telephone conversation. He wanted to assure the Western Australian Government that the media reports suggesting the imminent demise of Ansett were grossly exaggerated and that there was no justification for the suggestion that Ansett was about to fall over. Hon N.F. Moore: When was this? Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) These matters are probably matters for the Premier. However, in my capacity as Minister for Regional Development I became aware that Ansett Australia’s senior officers had sought a meeting with the Premier in a time frame that did not suit the Premier. As the Minister for Regional Development, I immediately rang the state manager of Ansett, Mr Chris Barnes, and advised him that in view of the Premier’s unavailability, I would make myself immediately available to meet with Mr Toomey, if that was considered necessary. Mr Barnes chose to brief the Western Australian Government through me as minister by telephone conversation. He wanted to assure the Western Australian Government that the media reports suggesting the imminent demise of Ansett were grossly exaggerated and that there was no justification for the suggestion that Ansett was about to fall over. Hon N.F. Moore: When was this? Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
(1)-(2) These matters are probably matters for the Premier. However, in my capacity as Minister for Regional Development I became aware that Ansett Australia’s senior officers had sought a meeting with the Premier in a time frame that did not suit the Premier. As the Minister for Regional Development, I immediately rang the state manager of Ansett, Mr Chris Barnes, and advised him that in view of the Premier’s unavailability, I would make myself immediately available to meet with Mr Toomey, if that was considered necessary. Mr Barnes chose to brief the Western Australian Government through me as minister by telephone conversation. He wanted to assure the Western Australian Government that the media reports suggesting the imminent demise of Ansett were grossly exaggerated and that there was no justification for the suggestion that Ansett was about to fall over. Hon N.F. Moore: When was this? Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon N.F. Moore: When was this? Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I think it was the Monday a week prior to the World Trade Centre bombing. Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon N.F. Moore: Was that in September? Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon Tom Stephens: Yes. Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon N.F. Moore: Mr Toomey sought to meet the Premier in August. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Yes, but from memory, Mr Barnes briefed me on Ansett’s situation about 3 September. Specifically, his words were, “This is a company that survived losing $5 million a day during the pilot’s strike, so the loss of $2 million a day at this time is something an airline of this size can manage.” Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon N.F. Moore: Do you know why Mr Toomey wanted to see the Premier? Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, I do not know, but I presume it was to give the same assurances.
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