❓ A member of parliament questions the Minister for Water Resources about potential privatisation of Water Corporation assets. The Minister denies any plans for privatisation and highlights existing partnerships with private companies for water supply.
AnsweredQoN 660Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WATER RESOURCES - PRIVATISATION OF ASSETS
I refer to the possibility of privatising some of the Water Corporation’s assets and the use of private companies for the supply and distribution of water. (1) Does the minister support private companies supplying water to the integrated water supply system? (2) Does the minister support the Water Corporation buying water from private water sources? (3) Have plans been prepared anywhere within government for the possible privatisation of Water Corporation assets? (4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
I refer to the possibility of privatising some of the Water Corporation’s assets and the use of private companies for the supply and distribution of water. (1) Does the minister support private companies supplying water to the integrated water supply system? (2) Does the minister support the Water Corporation buying water from private water sources? (3) Have plans been prepared anywhere within government for the possible privatisation of Water Corporation assets? (4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(1) Does the minister support private companies supplying water to the integrated water supply system? (2) Does the minister support the Water Corporation buying water from private water sources? (3) Have plans been prepared anywhere within government for the possible privatisation of Water Corporation assets? (4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(2) Does the minister support the Water Corporation buying water from private water sources? (3) Have plans been prepared anywhere within government for the possible privatisation of Water Corporation assets? (4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(3) Have plans been prepared anywhere within government for the possible privatisation of Water Corporation assets? (4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(1) Does the minister support private companies supplying water to the integrated water supply system? (2) Does the minister support the Water Corporation buying water from private water sources? (3) Have plans been prepared anywhere within government for the possible privatisation of Water Corporation assets? (4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(2) Does the minister support the Water Corporation buying water from private water sources? (3) Have plans been prepared anywhere within government for the possible privatisation of Water Corporation assets? (4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(3) Have plans been prepared anywhere within government for the possible privatisation of Water Corporation assets? (4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(4) If so, do those plans include the Kwinana desalination plant? Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
(1)-(4) In answer to the third question, there are no plans whatsoever to privatise Water Corporation assets. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Because I take a close interest in my portfolio. I am across what is happening in the area of water and I can assure the member for Darling Range that there is absolutely no thought by anyone with significant influence within my office or the Department of Water to privatise Water Corporation assets. I made that very clear to Jim Gill, the chief executive officer of the Water Corporation. I have also spoken to Tim Ungar, who also indicated to me that that is not board policy. It is not being considered. In terms of other questions, the Water Corporation already buys water from private interests. Harvey Water is currently trading three gigalitres, and the potential exists for it to trade more gigalitres. The issue is with private companies. Private companies are used in a range of ways. The saltwater desalination plant involves an agreement between Degremont, Multiplex and the Water Corporation. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
The SPEAKER : I call the members for Dawesville and Roe to order. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : The key point is that this government has made it absolutely clear that the role of delivering essential services and the infrastructure required to deliver those essential services, which are held by government, will be retained by government. We are not like the previous government, in which the Leader of the Opposition was a minister, which had a budget deficit in five of its eight years. The coalition government had to sell assets to balance the books. This government is providing good management and it will continue to provide good management. There will be no need to privatise assets the way the Liberals did. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for South Perth to order.
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