❓ Opposition questions the Treasurer about the urgency and cost of expanding the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant and how it fits within the debt cap. The Treasurer denies a water crisis and refuses to disclose projected costs before the budget announcement.
AnsweredQoN 170Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SOUTHERN SEAWATER DESALINATION PLANT
(1) Is it not true that the government faces a crisis in water supply, requiring the government to make an emergency decision within weeks about the expansion of the southern seawater desalination plant? (2) What is the projected cost of the southern seawater desalination plant expansion? (3) How will the government fit the cost of this impending decision within the Premier’s $20 billion debt cap? Mr C.C. PORTER
(1) Is it not true that the government faces a crisis in water supply, requiring the government to make an emergency decision within weeks about the expansion of the southern seawater desalination plant? (2) What is the projected cost of the southern seawater desalination plant expansion? (3) How will the government fit the cost of this impending decision within the Premier’s $20 billion debt cap? Mr C.C. PORTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1) The first question features a much-overused word that the opposition absolutely adores—crisis. No, there is no crisis. There are different pressures facing different parts of the state in water supply and, indeed, those pressures wax and wane with weather patterns. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(2) What is the projected cost of the southern seawater desalination plant expansion? (3) How will the government fit the cost of this impending decision within the Premier’s $20 billion debt cap? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1) The first question features a much-overused word that the opposition absolutely adores—crisis. No, there is no crisis. There are different pressures facing different parts of the state in water supply and, indeed, those pressures wax and wane with weather patterns. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(3) How will the government fit the cost of this impending decision within the Premier’s $20 billion debt cap? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1) The first question features a much-overused word that the opposition absolutely adores—crisis. No, there is no crisis. There are different pressures facing different parts of the state in water supply and, indeed, those pressures wax and wane with weather patterns. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1) The first question features a much-overused word that the opposition absolutely adores—crisis. No, there is no crisis. There are different pressures facing different parts of the state in water supply and, indeed, those pressures wax and wane with weather patterns. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(1) The first question features a much-overused word that the opposition absolutely adores—crisis. No, there is no crisis. There are different pressures facing different parts of the state in water supply and, indeed, those pressures wax and wane with weather patterns. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(2) What is the projected cost of the southern seawater desalination plant expansion? (3) How will the government fit the cost of this impending decision within the Premier’s $20 billion debt cap? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1) The first question features a much-overused word that the opposition absolutely adores—crisis. No, there is no crisis. There are different pressures facing different parts of the state in water supply and, indeed, those pressures wax and wane with weather patterns. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(3) How will the government fit the cost of this impending decision within the Premier’s $20 billion debt cap? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1) The first question features a much-overused word that the opposition absolutely adores—crisis. No, there is no crisis. There are different pressures facing different parts of the state in water supply and, indeed, those pressures wax and wane with weather patterns. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1) The first question features a much-overused word that the opposition absolutely adores—crisis. No, there is no crisis. There are different pressures facing different parts of the state in water supply and, indeed, those pressures wax and wane with weather patterns. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(1) The first question features a much-overused word that the opposition absolutely adores—crisis. No, there is no crisis. There are different pressures facing different parts of the state in water supply and, indeed, those pressures wax and wane with weather patterns. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Up north in the Pilbara, what was looming as a real water shortage has now turned around over a very expansive cyclonic season that has seen Millstream and all the other catchments surrounding it become very full, so there is no crisis. (2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(2) In the second question, the Leader of the Opposition asked me to divulge the expenditure review committee’s considerations of water management matters in respect of the southern seawater desalination plant. Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Mr E.S. Ripper : No, I’m asking you the projected cost of the expansion. You can give that answer. Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
Mr C.C. PORTER : The Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to do that; he knows that if he were in my position, he would not do that, so I am not going to do that. (3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
(3) The third question is, indeed, the same as the second question, which is about projected costs, and the Leader of the Opposition knows that I am not going to speculate on those in this place before the budget is announced. He will, unfortunately, simply have to wait until the budget is announced.
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