❓ Mr. Buswell questions the Treasurer's land tax cuts, arguing that rising property values will lead to increased land tax bills for some property owners. The Treasurer, Mr. Ripper, defends the cuts by comparing WA's land tax rates to other states and accusing Mr. Buswell of hypocrisy.
AnsweredQoN 214Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET - LAND TAX
I refer to the Treasurer’s widely discredited budget and his much vaunted $316 million cuts in land tax. Given the Treasurer expects property values to increase by 49 per cent between valuations this year, I point out, firstly, a person with a property portfolio previously valued at $300 000 who paid $225 in land tax, with the Treasurer’s new, reduced land tax scales will pay $296 in land tax next year on that revalued property - an increase of 31 per cent; secondly, a person with a property portfolio valued at $700 000, who paid $1 755 in land tax, will next year pay $2 198 in land tax on his revalued property - an increase of 25 per cent; and, thirdly, a person with a $1 million property portfolio who paid $4 568 in land tax will have to pay $5 550 in land tax on the revalued property - an increase of 22 per cent. (1) How can the Treasurer justify his claims that owners of land will benefit from cuts in their land tax bills? (2) Can the Treasurer confirm exactly how many property owners can expect an increase in their next land tax bill next year? Mr E.S. RIPPER
I refer to the Treasurer’s widely discredited budget and his much vaunted $316 million cuts in land tax. Given the Treasurer expects property values to increase by 49 per cent between valuations this year, I point out, firstly, a person with a property portfolio previously valued at $300 000 who paid $225 in land tax, with the Treasurer’s new, reduced land tax scales will pay $296 in land tax next year on that revalued property - an increase of 31 per cent; secondly, a person with a property portfolio valued at $700 000, who paid $1 755 in land tax, will next year pay $2 198 in land tax on his revalued property - an increase of 25 per cent; and, thirdly, a person with a $1 million property portfolio who paid $4 568 in land tax will have to pay $5 550 in land tax on the revalued property - an increase of 22 per cent. (1) How can the Treasurer justify his claims that owners of land will benefit from cuts in their land tax bills? (2) Can the Treasurer confirm exactly how many property owners can expect an increase in their next land tax bill next year? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) My first question is to the member for Vasse: did Peter Costello deliver tax cuts? Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
(1) How can the Treasurer justify his claims that owners of land will benefit from cuts in their land tax bills? (2) Can the Treasurer confirm exactly how many property owners can expect an increase in their next land tax bill next year? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) My first question is to the member for Vasse: did Peter Costello deliver tax cuts? Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
(2) Can the Treasurer confirm exactly how many property owners can expect an increase in their next land tax bill next year? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) My first question is to the member for Vasse: did Peter Costello deliver tax cuts? Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) My first question is to the member for Vasse: did Peter Costello deliver tax cuts? Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
(1)-(2) My first question is to the member for Vasse: did Peter Costello deliver tax cuts? Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
(1) How can the Treasurer justify his claims that owners of land will benefit from cuts in their land tax bills? (2) Can the Treasurer confirm exactly how many property owners can expect an increase in their next land tax bill next year? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) My first question is to the member for Vasse: did Peter Costello deliver tax cuts? Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
(2) Can the Treasurer confirm exactly how many property owners can expect an increase in their next land tax bill next year? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) My first question is to the member for Vasse: did Peter Costello deliver tax cuts? Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) My first question is to the member for Vasse: did Peter Costello deliver tax cuts? Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
(1)-(2) My first question is to the member for Vasse: did Peter Costello deliver tax cuts? Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The member for Vasse will not even say to this house whether he thinks the federal Treasurer delivered tax cuts. He should send an email to the press gallery in Canberra. The shadow Treasurer of Western Australia will not confirm that he believes that Peter Costello delivered tax cuts. When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
When this state budget came down on Thursday, the member for Vasse had nowhere to go because this is what he said on 2 May 2007 - To us and I think to the majority of people in this state, $350 million in tax cuts next year is the minimum amount that would be acceptable. That is the tax challenge bar and Eric Ripper has two choices. He can climb over the bar, in which case I think he should be applauded, or he can slip under it, in which case he should be condemned. The level of tax relief next year will be $433 million. Where is the applause from the member for Vasse? It is not there. He was stunned when the budget came down because he knew that his own bar had been exceeded. What did he do? He did what we would expect of a man who so duplicitously - Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : It is a hard word to say. I will use another word - treacherously. He treacherously betrayed the member for Kalgoorlie. He did what we would expect a man such as that to do. He did what we would expect a man who sold his integrity to Noel Crichton-Browne in the car park to do. He went out there and he made it up. That is what he did. He is saying that there is no benefit in the land tax cuts. Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I will give an example. There has been a 47 per cent cut in land tax and the metropolitan region improvement tax on a $1 million property. It is $4 568 under the current scale and it will be $1 875 under the new scale. I will read the figures for land tax that would be paid in the different states. Let me see whether the member for Vasse recognises the advantage that people in Western Australia will now have. The land tax on a $1 million property in New South Wales is $11 116; in Victoria it is $3 480; in Queensland it is $12 375; in South Australia it is $11 420; in Tasmania it is $16 088; and in the Australian Capital Territory it is $14 225. What about a property valued at $2.5 million? The current land tax in Western Australia on a $2.5 million property is $32 268. Under the new land tax scale it will be $15 875. In New South Wales it is more than double that amount at $36 616, in Victoria it is $19 880; in Queensland, a low-tax state, it is more than double that amount at $37 500; in South Australia it is $66 920; in Tasmania it is $53 588; and in the ACT it is $38 275. This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
This man, stumped for what to do on budget day, simply went out and made it up. Unfortunately, he found a few credulous journalists who believed his rubbish. I think that the journalists who believed that should die of professional shame for their lack of ability on this particular issue. We have assessed tax cuts in exactly the same way as any other government in the country does and, in particular, we have assessed tax cuts in the same way as Peter Costello. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Peter Costello has cut income tax. I accept that. The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he agrees that Peter Costello has cut - Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Dawesville to order for the first time. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Darling Range to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The shadow Treasurer will not come into this house and say that he believes that Peter Costello has cut tax - Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Vasse! Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : However, I will say it because I will speak the truth about that budget. Peter Costello has cut tax. Nevertheless, I notice that in 2006-07, he is collecting $220.4 billion worth of taxation revenue and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion worth of tax. His taxation revenue, despite his cuts, will go up by $10.6 billion; in other words, it will go up by almost $11 billion. That is exactly the same as we see in this state. I say this to the member for Vasse: it is the economy, stupid. That is what happens, stupid. The economy goes up, stupid. Withdrawal of Remark Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, given the high standard that you have set in this chamber for cross-chamber references, I suggest that the Treasurer should withdraw that comment. The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : It is a statement that has been used in other places to highlight an issue. However, I think it is unparliamentary and the Treasurer should withdraw it. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Naturally, I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : I prefer to think that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is duplicitous, treacherous and dishonest rather than stupid. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Bassendean to order for the first time. Point of Order Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Following on from the member for Cottesloe’s comment, it is not for me to remind you, Mr Speaker, or other members, that a withdrawal should be unqualified. The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
The SPEAKER : Clearly, it is not the member for Leschenault’s job to say whether I am happy with a member’s withdrawal. The withdrawal was unqualified. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER : The withdrawal was indeed unqualified. In 2006-07, Peter Costello collected $220.4 billion of revenue, and in 2007-08, he will collect $231 billion. His taxation revenue, despite the tax cuts, will increase by $10.6 billion. That is exactly what is happening here. Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr T. Buswell : No, it’s not. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The increase in economic activity, despite tax cuts, is delivering us more revenue. This was not the only thing that the shadow Treasurer did. He did something else that was extraordinary. He went out there - Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr A.D. McRae : He is duplicitous. Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : He is duplicitous and treacherous. It was the sort of behaviour that we would expect from the man who met with Noel Crichton-Browne in a car park. The shadow Treasurer said that this budget imposed $590 million in household fee increases. Do members know what he was counting? He was counting the revenue from the ports; he was counting the revenue from the gold sold by the Gold Corporation to India; he was counting the revenue that the TAB gets when people bet on the gallops; and he was counting the revenue that Lotterywest gets from selling lotto tickets! What sort of incompetence and what sort of stupidity is that from the shadow Treasurer, who cannot read the budget papers and thinks that something that accrues to the Gold Corporation represents a household fee and charge and that when someone has a bet, it is also a household fee or charge? This is laughable. What is so shocking is that unfortunately some journalists in Western Australia actually believed him. Why they did not take account of his record, I do not know. They actually believed him. I do not think they will believe him the next time. There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
There are other opinions on our budget papers. For example, every year Access Economics gives Western Australia an award for having the most open, honest, transparent and accountable budget papers. On Friday, my office received an email from the ANZ bank’s chief economist, Saul Eslake, who wrote - . . . I think that WA has by far the best, and most informative, Budget Papers of any Government in Australia. He did not think there was any dishonesty regarding tax cut figures, and he is the chief economist of the ANZ bank. I am sure that Access Economics does not think there is anything wrong with our budget papers either.
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