❓ Dr. Honey questions the government's support for food production in North Wanneroo. The Minister defends the government's actions, citing climate change adaptation and grant programs, while criticizing the opposition's lack of a candidate in the area.
AnsweredQoN 799Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WATER — NORTH WANNEROO
799. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Water:
I
have a supplementary question. That is only half the answer. Why have the
minister and her government abandoned proper support for critical food
production in the north Wanneroo area?
799. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Water:
I
have a supplementary question. That is only half the answer. Why have the
minister and her government abandoned proper support for critical food
production in the north Wanneroo area?
AnswerView source ↗
Unlike
the opposition, whether it is the Liberal Party or the Nationals WA, we are not
in denial about climate change.
Dr D.J. Honey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms S.F. McGURK : Do not yell
at me, member! You asked a question, so perhaps you can listen to the answer
for once. Perhaps you should not yell at me across the chamber, member.
Dr D.J. Honey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Cottesloe!
Ms S.F. McGURK : Can you
please stop —
Dr D.J. Honey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Cottesloe, stop interjecting. The minister has said that she does not welcome
your interjections.
Ms S.F. McGURK : First of all,
we are not in denial about climate change. We understand that it needs a response
in terms of the government reducing our own emissions and managing our economy,
but we also know that we have to adapt. In 2024–25, the community knows
that. We understand this is a huge challenge across our state.
In regard to the question that the
member for Cottesloe raised about whether there has been support for growers, I
just referred to over half a million dollars that has been made available
through the Gnangara horticulture water use efficiency grants—$544 528
to be precise. We have worked with those growers to make sure that these grants
are appropriate for them. One of the challenges is that a lot of those growers
lease their land, so they are less likely to want to invest in infrastructure,
even though it might mean a better and more efficient use of their water. We
have reshaped the grants and made sure that they will be of practical use to
those growers. We are working with them to make sure that they are using the
best available science and opportunities to maximise the use of water. For instance, not in Wanneroo but in Manjimup, I met
with avocado growers who have put in place climate sensitive sensors so
that when rainfall is expected, less irrigation occurs. This is a modern use of
technology to make sure we are making the best use of our water. We want to
support growers to do that, but we cannot deny that we are in a drying climate.
It is hotter and there are more challenges. We are not in denial about that.
Where does the opposition stand?
If the member for Cottesloe, and I guess
this question is also to the member for Vasse, has such confidence that people
in Wanneroo are behind Liberal Party, why does it not have a candidate for that
area? Perhaps they could explain that. We are now in the first week of November
and the Liberal Party does not have a candidate. That is hardly a ringing
endorsement for their own party.
The SPEAKER : Minister, I preferred
it when you were not inviting interjections.
the opposition, whether it is the Liberal Party or the Nationals WA, we are not
in denial about climate change.
Dr D.J. Honey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Ms S.F. McGURK : Do not yell
at me, member! You asked a question, so perhaps you can listen to the answer
for once. Perhaps you should not yell at me across the chamber, member.
Dr D.J. Honey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Cottesloe!
Ms S.F. McGURK : Can you
please stop —
Dr D.J. Honey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Cottesloe, stop interjecting. The minister has said that she does not welcome
your interjections.
Ms S.F. McGURK : First of all,
we are not in denial about climate change. We understand that it needs a response
in terms of the government reducing our own emissions and managing our economy,
but we also know that we have to adapt. In 2024–25, the community knows
that. We understand this is a huge challenge across our state.
In regard to the question that the
member for Cottesloe raised about whether there has been support for growers, I
just referred to over half a million dollars that has been made available
through the Gnangara horticulture water use efficiency grants—$544 528
to be precise. We have worked with those growers to make sure that these grants
are appropriate for them. One of the challenges is that a lot of those growers
lease their land, so they are less likely to want to invest in infrastructure,
even though it might mean a better and more efficient use of their water. We
have reshaped the grants and made sure that they will be of practical use to
those growers. We are working with them to make sure that they are using the
best available science and opportunities to maximise the use of water. For instance, not in Wanneroo but in Manjimup, I met
with avocado growers who have put in place climate sensitive sensors so
that when rainfall is expected, less irrigation occurs. This is a modern use of
technology to make sure we are making the best use of our water. We want to
support growers to do that, but we cannot deny that we are in a drying climate.
It is hotter and there are more challenges. We are not in denial about that.
Where does the opposition stand?
If the member for Cottesloe, and I guess
this question is also to the member for Vasse, has such confidence that people
in Wanneroo are behind Liberal Party, why does it not have a candidate for that
area? Perhaps they could explain that. We are now in the first week of November
and the Liberal Party does not have a candidate. That is hardly a ringing
endorsement for their own party.
The SPEAKER : Minister, I preferred
it when you were not inviting interjections.
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